Polarization Of Signal Patents (Class 725/69)
  • Patent number: 9942618
    Abstract: A receiving unit 28 includes a tuner that receives a first signal that may include a satellite signal. A demodulator demodulates the satellite signal to form a second signal. The second signal may be internet protocol (IP) encapsulated to form an IP encapsulated signal. The IP encapsulated signal may be communicated through an IP network to a decoder. The decoder 144 decodes the second signal or the IP encapsulated signal. A modulator 146 modulates the decoded signal which is communicated to user devices through a network 147. In addition, IP encapsulated signals may also be communicated to various user devices through the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Norin, Richard B. Tatem
  • Patent number: 9774923
    Abstract: An exemplary method includes a media content delivery system transmitting a transport stream containing an advertisement channel and a program channel, the program channel carrying a media program stream at a first bit rate, detecting an upcoming advertisement break within the media program stream, inserting, in response to the detecting of the upcoming advertisement break, an advertisement content stream having a second bit rate that is lower than the first bit rate into the program channel to temporally coincide with the advertisement break to free bandwidth in the transport stream during the advertisement break, and inserting an additional advertisement content stream in the advertisement channel, the additional advertisement content stream temporally coinciding with the advertisement break and utilizing at least a portion of the freed bandwidth in the transport stream. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: James F. Di Mattia, Michael P. Ruffini, Harpal S. Bassali
  • Patent number: 9231609
    Abstract: A dielectric resonator oscillator includes a dielectric resonator; a transmission line disposed adjacent the dielectric resonator; an active device having an input electrically connected to the transmission line; a matching network having an input electrically connected to an output of the active device and an output configured to be connected to a load; wherein both the transmission line and the active device are positioned sufficiently close to the dielectric resonator to form part of a resonant circuit with the dielectric resonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Entropic Communications, LLC.
    Inventors: Branislav Petrovic, Tommy Yu, Troy Brandon, Ralph Duncan
  • Patent number: 9015771
    Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus and method which can be used to receive broadcast digital data. The apparatus and method are provided at one or more receiving locations and is connected to one or more broadcast data receivers at each location. The apparatus is capable of receiving and processing data in linear and/or circular polarity formats and the operating condition of the same can be altered in response to a command signal broadcast to the receiving locations prior to the transmission of data in a new format such as to the change in the operating condition of the apparatus to receive and process linear as well as the previously broadcast circular polarity format data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Global Invacom Limited
    Inventors: Gary Stafford, David Smith, Edmund F. Petruzzelli
  • Patent number: 8988495
    Abstract: A method for controlling an image display apparatus includes determining a type of a video signal included in an input signal, determining whether three-dimensional (3D) format information is included in the input signal, if the video signal is a 3D video signal, requesting 3D format information about the video signal to a server that stores 3D format information, if the input signal does not include the 3D format information about the video signal, and processing, upon receipt of 3D format information from the server in response to the 3D format information request, the video signal according to the 3D format information and displaying a 3D image based on the processed video signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: LG Eletronics Inc.
    Inventor: Jeongsim Kim
  • Patent number: 8978073
    Abstract: In a mobile communication system and a broadcasting system, an Advanced Base Station (ABS) periodically broadcasts a buffering data packet of broadcast buffering content in providing a Mobile Internet Protocol TeleVision (Mobile IPTV) service. The broadcast buffering content represents content in which a buffering data packet corresponding to a predetermined buffering capacity is periodically broadcasted, and the buffering data packet represents a data packet that is transmitted to be buffered in advance before the broadcast buffering content is actually provided to Advanced Mobile Stations (AMSs).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Industry-University Cooperation Foundation Korea Aerospace University
    Inventors: Young-Ho Jung, So-Hee Park
  • Patent number: 8959554
    Abstract: A method for transmitting signaling information for reception of a broadcast service in a digital broadcasting system is provided. The method includes generating signaling information that includes a network information table indicating information about a transport network over which broadcast service data is transmitted, and a service information table indicating at least one broadcast service and information about at least one Physical Layer Pipe mapped to the at least one broadcast service, and transmitting the signaling information in a Generic Stream Encapsulation packet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Sung-Oh Hwang, Alain Mourad
  • Patent number: 8875190
    Abstract: A method and system for monitoring signals corresponding to a satellite having a first transponder generating a first plurality of channel signals, a plurality of integrated receiver decoders receiving the first plurality of signals and generating a first plurality of received channel signals corresponding to the first plurality of channel signals and a monitoring system displaying all of the first plurality of received channel signals corresponding to the first transponder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Eduardo Barroso
  • Patent number: 8862761
    Abstract: A system and method for a operating a content distribution system includes a destination device and a requesting device that communicates a primary audio stream secondary audio stream and a video stream to the destination device. The destination device communicates the primary audio stream to a display. The destination device includes a secondary decoder configured to decode the secondary audio stream to form a decoded secondary audio stream. The destination device combines the secondary decoded audio stream and the primary audio stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Diem V. Nguyen, Noreen Fong, Mark C. Guidarelli, Titus Winters
  • Patent number: 8839312
    Abstract: Multiple systems for delivering satellite signals are described. An embodiment in accordance with the present invention comprises a receive antenna, including at least one low noise block amplifier (LNB), and a module, coupled to and proximate the receive antenna, the module comprising a multiswitch, coupled to the LNB, for directing the satellite signals received by the LNB to a plurality of outputs of the multiswitch, a plurality of tuners, respectively coupled to the outputs of the multiswitch, for tuning to a plurality of specific portions of the satellite signals in a respective fashion, the specific portions of the satellite signals selected based on commands received from a plurality of receivers, and an interface for delivering the specific portions of the satellite signals to the plurality of receivers, wherein the specific portions of the satellite signals are combined into a single combined signal and delivered to the plurality of receivers on a single output of the interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas H. James, Dipak M. Shah
  • Patent number: 8799964
    Abstract: A satellite reception assembly may comprise a housing configured to support receipt and handling of a plurality of satellite signals. The housing may comprise circuitry incorporating integrated stacking architecture for supporting and/or providing channel and/or band stacking whereby particular channels or bands, from multiple satellite signals that are received via the satellite reception assembly, may be combined onto a single output signal that may be communicated from the satellite reception assembly to a gateway device for concurrent distribution thereby to a plurality of client devices serviced by the gateway device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: MaxLinear, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn Chang, Brian Sprague, Madhuka Reddy
  • Patent number: 8774225
    Abstract: Services and service components in a broadcast network may be mapped to disparate physical layer transmission channels (PLPs) using logical layer pipes (LLPs). The use of LLPs allows different service components of a single service to be mapped to physical layer transmission channels (PLPs). Accordingly, service components may be shared among different services. Additionally or alternatively, different functions (e.g., different error detection or correction protocols) may be applied to each service components of a service. A receiver may identify services, service components and corresponding PLPs based on LLP identifiers. The receiver may then access and receive desired services and service components through the identified PLPs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Jani Väre, Jyrki Alamaunu, Harri J. Pekonen, Jussi Vesma
  • Patent number: 8689263
    Abstract: A frequency translation module for delivering satellite signals to Integrated Receiver Decoders (IRDs). The module comprises at least one input for receiving polarized satellite signals, wherein at least one input is coupled to at least one low noise block amplifier (LNB), at least one legacy output, the legacy output coupled to the input through a multiswitch, wherein each legacy output selects a polarization of a satellite signal based on a Legacy IRD command directly to the multiswitch, and at least one combined output, the combined output coupled to the multiswitch through an interface, wherein at least one new IRD selectively commands the frequency translation module such that each new IRD receives a portion of a satellite signal based on commands received from each IRD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas H. James, Dipak M. Shah
  • Patent number: 8683531
    Abstract: According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a digital data stream is divided into at least two complementary digital substreams and delayed in time. The first digital substream and the second digital substream are transmitted by the broadcasting systems with a time offset in accordance with the broadcasting principle such that any receiver can use the respectively intact part of the other complementary digital substream in order to ensure a seamless media reception when a break in the transmission or reception occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Tim Fuss, Christian Schaupmann
  • Patent number: 8656436
    Abstract: Various designs of configurable multiswitch or multifeed satellite reception systems comprising switch-over matrices and transponder branches and “one cable solutions” which allow or do not allow subsequent expansion with respect to the subscribers that can be connected thereto are known from the prior art. In general, the costs for such systems comprising frequency converters are primarily determined by the frequency converters and the associated filters. The aim of the invention is to devise inexpensive methods or devices which allow detection of the complete frequency spectrum—even after subsequent expansions—and which therefore do not involve any restrictions with respect to the program range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Schwaiger GmbH
    Inventor: Bernd Kürten
  • Patent number: 8621525
    Abstract: Multiple systems for delivering satellite video signals are disclosed. An embodiment of the present invention comprises a module comprising a multiswitch, the multiswitch selectively directing the satellite video signals to a plurality of outputs of the multiswitch, an interface for delivering the satellite video signals to at least one receiver, and a power inserter, coupled between the interface and the at least one receiver, for controlling the flow of signals between the multiswitch and the at least one receiver, wherein the power inserter continuously flows the satellite video signals to the at least one receiver while selectively flowing commands between the module and the at least one receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas H. James, Dipak M. Shah
  • Patent number: 8582641
    Abstract: Satellite distribution apparatus is provided for distributing digital broadcast signals in a pre-determined locality or building. The apparatus includes satellite receiving means for receiving broadcast signals from at least one satellite and communication means for transmitting the received signals to a control unit in the locality or building. The control unit allows a plurality of received digital broadcast signals to be selected and output onto a single cable for distribution around said locality or building. The control unit includes means for allowing the bandwidth of the selected signals to be compressed and rearranged for transmitting onto a single cable outlet. At least part of the means for compressing said selected digital broadcast signals includes signal symbol stacking means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Pace plc.
    Inventors: Stephen Beales, Philip Yates
  • Patent number: 8549565
    Abstract: Multiple systems for delivering satellite signals are described. An embodiment in accordance with the present invention comprises a receive antenna, including at least one low noise block amplifier (LNB), and a module, coupled to and proximate the receive antenna, the module comprising a multiswitch, coupled to the LNB, for directing the satellite signals received by the LNB to a plurality of outputs of the multiswitch, a plurality of tuners, respectively coupled to the outputs of the multiswitch, for tuning to a plurality of specific portions of the satellite signals in a respective fashion, the specific portions of the satellite signals selected based on commands received from a plurality of receivers, and an interface for delivering the specific portions of the satellite signals to the plurality of receivers, wherein the specific portions of the satellite signals are combined into a single combined signal and delivered to the plurality of receivers on a single output of the interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas H. James, Dipak M. Shah
  • Patent number: 8387104
    Abstract: A method and a device for transmitting a transport stream according to a digital television-transmission standard for stationary and/or mobile receivers with program and service data for a national and a regional broadcast determines the transmission capacity in the transport stream provided in each case for the national and the regional broadcast through a first multiplexer within a centrally positioned headend. The first multiplexer then fills the transport stream with program and service data for national broadcast within the transmission capacity of the transport stream provided for the broadcast and marks the transmission capacity provided within the transport stream for the regional broadcast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jens Rusch-Ihwe, Norman Herzog
  • Patent number: 8214075
    Abstract: A method of modelling a flight of an aircraft using at least one computer system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes: sourcing flight details from at least one data source using at least one data acquisition system, the flight details representative of the activity of the aircraft within a flight information region, and compiling a flight model from the flight details using a processing system, the flight model indicating the activity of the aircraft over the duration of the flight in two or more FIRs or for an entire flight undertaken in a single FIR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Airways Corporation of New Zealand Limited
    Inventors: Mark Raymond Griffin, Mervyn Lloyd Robertson
  • Publication number: 20120167147
    Abstract: A circuit, electrical device or other apparatus for band stacking and/or band translating multiple transmissions. Such transmissions may be satellite transmissions, terrestrial transmissions, signals carried across a wired network such as a cable network, and so forth. Two sets of left-hand polarized and right-hand polarized signals may be accepted by an embodiment. One left-hand polarized signal and one right-hand polarized signal may be band stacked such that the left-hand polarized signal occupies a first frequency and the right-hand polarized signal occupies a second frequency, thereby permitting the two signals to be transmitted simultaneously across a single transmission line as a first unique signal. The second left-hand polarized signal and second right-hand polarized signal may likewise be combined into a second unique signal for transmission. The first and second unique signals may be stacked as a first stacked output and a second stacked output by a band translating circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventor: Edmund F. Petruzzelli
  • Patent number: 8209726
    Abstract: A satellite transponder switch (STS) maintains a table that maps set-top boxes (STBs) to carrier frequencies. The STS receives a first request from a first STB for a first transponder band and a second request from a second STB for a second transponder band. The STS receives contact from the first STB on a control channel upon power-up of the first STB and in response to the contact from the first STB, assigns a first carrier frequency to the first STB. The STS frequency shifts the first transponder band to a first carrier frequency assigned to the first STB and the second transponder band to a second carrier frequency assigned to the second STB. The STS outputs a signal that comprises the frequency-shifted first and second transponder bands to the first STB and the second STB. The frequency-shifted first and second transponder bands are separated by a separation band. A first carrier frequency of the signal is unique to the first STB and a second carrier frequency of the signal is unique to the second STB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Dinesh Nadarajah, Ahmad C. Ansari
  • Patent number: 8200149
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for combining transponder bandwidths comprises a wide-band virtual transponder for transmitting a single data stream. The wide-band virtual transponder is comprised of a plurality of narrow-band physical transponders. A plurality of elementary streams are statistically multiplexed to create the single data stream, wherein the single data stream is forward error correction encoded and demultiplexed into a plurality of transponder streams for transmission by the plurality of physical transponders. The physical transponders each use a different portion of a signal spectrum, wherein the different portion may be guard bands or a combination of legacy bands and guard bands. Upon receipt, the transponder streams are multiplexed to recover the single data stream, wherein the recovered single data stream is forward error correction decoded and statistically demultiplexed to recover the plurality of elementary streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Ernest C. Chen
  • Patent number: 8132214
    Abstract: A circuit, electrical device or other apparatus for band stacking and/or band translating multiple transmissions. Such transmissions may be satellite transmissions, terrestrial transmissions, signals carried across a wired network such as a cable network, and so forth. Two sets of left-hand polarized and right-hand polarized signals may be accepted by an embodiment. One left-hand polarized signal and one right-hand polarized signal may be band stacked such that the left-hand polarized signal occupies a first frequency and the right-hand polarized signal occupies a second frequency, thereby permitting the two signals to be transmitted simultaneously across a single transmission line as a first unique signal. The second left-hand polarized signal and second right-hand polarized signal may likewise be combined into a second unique signal for transmission. The first and second unique signals may be stacked as a first stacked output and a second stacked output by a band translating circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventor: Edmund F. Petruzzelli
  • Publication number: 20110283330
    Abstract: A low-noise block downconverter includes a first down-converting circuit for down-converting and filtering a first polarization signal for outputting a first intermediate-frequency signal, a second down-converting circuit for down-converting and filtering a second polarization signal for outputting a second intermediate-frequency signal, wherein a frequency band of the first intermediate-frequency signal is the same as that of the second intermediate-frequency signal, an oscillator for generating an oscillating signal, outputted to the first down-converting circuit and the second down-converting circuit, a first optical transmitter coupled to the first down-converting circuit for converting the first intermediate-frequency signal into a first optical signal, and a second optical transmitter coupled to the second down-converting circuit for converting the second intermediate-frequency signal into a second optical signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventor: Che-Ming Wang
  • Publication number: 20110197235
    Abstract: The present invention provides a satellite broadcast receiving and distribution system that will permit for the transmission of vertical and horizontal or left-hand circular and right-hand circular polarization signals simultaneously via a single coaxial cable. The system of the present invention will accommodate two different polarity commands from two or more different sources at the same time. This satellite broadcast receiving and distribution system of the present invention will provide for the signals received from the satellite to be converted to standard frequencies so as to permit for signals to travel via existing wiring which the present day amplifiers can transport in buildings, high-rises, hospitals, and the like so that satellite broadcasting can be viewed by numerous individuals by way of a single satellite antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: James A. Green, SR., Austin S. Coker, JR.
  • Patent number: 7950038
    Abstract: Multiple systems for delivering satellite signals are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas H. James, Dipak M. Shah
  • Patent number: 7945932
    Abstract: A bandwidth-limited system for delivering satellite video signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas H. James, Dipak M. Shah
  • Patent number: 7890981
    Abstract: The invention makes configuring satellite decoders easier. An automatic detection method can configure the decoder without having to determine the installation beforehand. The automatic detection method tests different configuration possibilities in order to determine the used antenna system. A series of input selection commands are sent for a remote antenna switch corresponding to a given range of switch control possibilities, the said range being independent from the used antenna system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Thierry Quere, Sébastien Fraleu, André Magras
  • Patent number: 7774814
    Abstract: A system and method for receiving services is presented. The system comprises a first splitter having an input, a first output and a slaved output receiving a first signal at the input having a single polarization including a first service and a slaved service, wherein the first signal is directed to the first output and the slaved output and selected by a first control signal applied at the input, a first tuner receiving the first output and tuning the first service and a slaved tuner receiving the slaved output and tuning the slaved service. The method comprises generating a first control signal to select a first signal, receiving a first signal including a first service and a slaved service, wherein the first service and the slaved service are at the same polarization, splitting the first signal with a first splitter to a first output and a first slaved output, tuning the first service from the first output with a first tuner and tuning the slaved service from the slaved output with a slaved tuner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert George Arsenault, Laura Johnson O'Donnell
  • Patent number: 7702278
    Abstract: A broadcast receiver includes a smart antenna, a tuner which extracts a signal of predetermined channel from among airwaves received by the smart antenna, a signal processing unit which processes the signal extracted by the tuner, and a control unit, in a case the airwave has become unreceivable, to set a pointing direction of the antenna on that occasion as a reference direction, to shift the pointing direction a predetermined magnitude counterclockwise or clockwise, and to decide propriety of reception of the airwave. The control unit iterates counterclockwise and clockwise shifts alternately in a region near the reference direction, while the shift magnitude of the pointing direction is being increased in succession and so that the direction as to which the propriety of reception has been decided once may not be included in the directions of the shifts, until the reception of the airwave becomes possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takehiro Onomatsu, Shusuke Narita
  • Publication number: 20100088729
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an installation for receiving microwave frequency radio satellite signals, said installation comprising a first electric adder to add a first electrical signal representative of a radio signal according to a first polarization and transposed to a first intermediate band and a second electrical signal representative of a radio signal according to a first polarization and transposed to a second intermediate band and a second electric adder to add a first electrical signal representative of a radio signal according to a second polarization and transposed to the first intermediate band and a second electrical signal representative of a radio signal according to a second polarization and transposed to a second intermediate band.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: EUTELSAT
    Inventor: Kamal Lotfy
  • Patent number: 7673212
    Abstract: A power control device and method capable of reducing the power consumption of a DMB receiver according to whether or not CDM channels are received is provided. The power control device includes N CDM/FEC parts for demodulating a received broadcast signal into up to N CDM channel signals and error-correcting the demodulated channel signals and thereby generating a pilot payload signal and a transport stream, a plurality of clock switches for respectively turning on/off clock signals supplied to the N CDM/FEC parts, and a clock switch controller for controlling turning on/off of the clock switches, and controls supply of clock signals to the CDM/FEC parts according to CDM channel reception states, thereby making it possible to reduce the power consumption by the CDM/FEC parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Salk Mann Ji
  • Patent number: 7636300
    Abstract: Phone-based remote media system interaction is described. A content distribution system provides a telephone-based voice menu system that enables a caller to select a media system control command. The content distribution system then causes the media system control command to be executed in association with a remote media system associated with, or specified by, the caller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Samuel Thomas Scott, III, John R Mick, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7624419
    Abstract: Information indicating which of channels is selected in a digital broadcasting receiver 17 is fed from a control signal transmitter 16 to a retransmitter 14. A terrestrial wave digital broadcasting wave from a transmitting station is inputted to a channel selection filter 6 through an indoor receiving antenna 1 and an automatic gain controller 4 in the retransmitter 14, and only a signal having a frequency component corresponding to the channel selected by the digital broadcasting receiver 17 is extracted, and is transmitted toward the digital broadcasting receiver 17 by a retransmission indoor antenna 13 through a variable gain amplifier 7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toru Shibusawa
  • Patent number: 7379707
    Abstract: A low profile mobile in-motion antenna and transmit/receive terminal system for two-way “VSAT” type satellite communication using FSS service, preferably in Ku band, supporting at the same time TV signal reception from the same satellite or a separate DBS satellite located at the same or nearby geo-stationary orbital position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Raysat Antenna Systems, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Daniel F. DiFonzo, Danny Spirtus, Mario Gachev, Yoel Gat
  • Patent number: 7240357
    Abstract: A system and method for receiving services is presented. The system comprises a first splitter having an input, a first output and a slaved output receiving a first signal at the input having a single polarization including a first service and a slaved service, wherein the first signal is directed to the first output and the slaved output and selected by a first control signal applied at the input, a first tuner receiving the first output and tuning the first service and a slaved tuner receiving the slaved output and tuning the slaved service. The method comprises generating a first control signal to select a first signal, receiving a first signal including a first service and a slaved service, wherein the first service and the slaved service are at the same polarization, splitting the first signal with a first splitter to a first output and a first slaved output, tuning the first service from the first output with a first tuner and tuning the slaved service from the slaved output with a slaved tuner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert George Arsenault, Laura Johnson O'Donnell
  • Patent number: 7207054
    Abstract: A low power circuit for providing power and control signals to a low noise block converter of a satellite receiver over a single coaxial cable includes a tracking switch-mode power supply. The power and control signals have a DC voltage level selected from a plurality of DC voltage levels and are modulated by an analog AC tone signal. The switch-mode power supply provides a regulated output voltage which tracks the selected DC voltage level. The regulated output voltage provides the input voltage to an adjustable linear amplifier which generates an output voltage having the selected DC voltage level modulated by the analog AC tone signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Allegro Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Oliver L. Richards, Paul M. Greenland
  • Patent number: 6980529
    Abstract: A system for determining which of several satellites to tune an integrated receiver/decoder (IRD) to for receiving electronic program guide data is described. The system scans a plurality of multi-switch ports attempting to acquire a digital marker associated with a predetermined network identifier and polarity. The acquired marker contains information representing a satellite network and a satellite transponder number. In this manner, the system automatically configures the IRD to present electronic program guide information associated with available satellites while excluding guide information associated with unavailable satellites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: The Directv Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert G. Arsenault
  • Patent number: 6975837
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing interference between communications systems sharing at a portion of at least some allocated frequency bands is described. The system comprises a first communication system broadcasting on a first set of broadcast bands having guard bands therebetween, and a second communications system broadcasting on a second set of broadcast bands substantially spanning the guard bands of the first communications system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Santoru
  • Patent number: 6944878
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for ensuring a correct satellite signal connection. Specifically, a user selects a satellite signal via an integrated receiver/decoder (IRD) from at least one satellite, and the IRD sends a command signal to a selector switch to acquire and lock onto said satellite signal. The IRD repeats transmission of the command signal to the selector switch once the IRD has acquired and locked onto said information signal. Thus, in the event that the selector switch failed to switch to a low noise block converter (LNB) corresponding to the initial command signal, then the repeated command signal helps to ensure that the selector switch switches to the LNB corresponding with the latest command signal sent by the IRD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing S.A.
    Inventors: Daniel Thomas Wetzel, Terry Wayne Lockridge, Michael F. Barry
  • Publication number: 20040133911
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing downstream signals to a plurality of satellite receiving devices. A networked multimedia system receives the satellite signals from the receiving device. The networked multimedia system includes a splitter, a primary home communications terminal (DHCT), and a plurality of remote devices. The remote devices communicate with the primary DHCT via the splitter. Accordingly, the remote devices utilize some or all of the features including hardware and software that are included in the primary DHCT via the networked multimedia system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Samuel H. Russ, David B. Lett, Ajith N. Nair, Bohdan S. Prus
  • Patent number: 6751801
    Abstract: An aircraft in-flight entertainment system includes a satellite TV receiver, at least one video display connected to the receiver, and a multi-beam antenna on the aircraft for receiving signals from a plurality of satellite TV transponders. The multi-beam antenna may have right-hand circularly polarized (RHCP) and left-hand circularly polarized (LHCP) beams offset from one another by a beam offset angle. The beam offset angle may be less than an angle defined by the spacing of the DBS transponders. The system may also include an antenna steering positioner connected to the multi-beam antenna, and an antenna steering controller for steering the multi-beam antenna based upon received signals from at least one of the RHCP and LHCP beams. The antenna steering controller may comprise a processor for steering the multi-beam antenna based on a selected master one of the RHCP and LHCP beams and slaving the other beam therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Live TV, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Frisco, Michael Keen
  • Publication number: 20030145328
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the position of a user terminal comprise an antenna subsystem which is able to receive signals of GPS and TV, a receiver front end which converts the frequency of the incident signals and filters out unwanted signals so that the desired signals can be sampled, a digital processing component which accommodates the imperfections of the front end and converts the measured signals into a position information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Matthew Rabinowitz, James J. Spilker
  • Patent number: 6594828
    Abstract: An extender transmits red, blue and green signals, and vertical and horizontal sync signals over a single transmission medium. The extender generates a subcarrier reference frequency signal from the vertical and horizontal sync signals and combines the subcarrier reference frequency signal with the vertical and horizontal sync signals and the green signal to generate a green portion. The extender then quadrature amplitude modulates the blue signal and the red signal by the subcarrier reference frequency signal to generate a color portion, and combines the green portion and the color portion to generate an enhanced video signal. The enhanced video signal is transmitted over the single transmission medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel D. Moss
  • Publication number: 20030097658
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for simultaneously receiving DBS and data signals on a mobile platform using a single beam receive antenna aperture and transmitting data signals from a mobile platform using the single beam transmit antenna aperture. A single beam receive antenna aperture receives first RF signals having a first polarization and second RF signals having a second polarization, the single beam receive antenna aperture outputting output signals having the first polarization. A first RF converter down-converts the output signals to first down-converted signals having the first polarization. A second RF converter down-converts the output signals to second down-converted signals having the second polarization. The first RF signals suitably include DBS signals, and the second RF signals suitably include data services signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Inventor: William R. Richards
  • Patent number: 6536042
    Abstract: A plurality of outlets has at least a first outlet coupled to an IR target for providing a first local comparatively low-frequency electrical IR signal in response to an IR signal received by the IR target. At least a second outlet is coupled to an IR emitter. A distribution module is coupled to each outlet by respective first and second cables, wherein each of the first and second cables is sufficient to carry both comparatively high-frequency signals and comparatively low-frequency electrical IR signals between a respective outlet and the distribution module. The distribution module combines all local electrical IR signals received from said outlets via said respective first cables into a combined electrical IR signal and transmits the combined electrical IR signal to the IR emitter via said second cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Avaya Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Lawrence Marc Paul
  • Patent number: 6507952
    Abstract: An in-flight entertainment system provides live video/audio programming to passengers and operators over an aircraft video/audio distribution system. The programming signals are derived from satellite broadcast signals that may be in either circular polarized form or linear polarized form. The broadcast signals are collected by two probes and extracted as right and left circular polarized signals. The right and left circular polarized signals are converted into either circular or linear polarized IF signals, and the IF signals are processed by a receiver/decoder unit to produce the live video/audio programming signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott D. Miller, Ralph Phillipp, Robert Walzer, Fredrick Fidel, Curtis J. Larson, James L. Bartlett, Jay E. Landenberger
  • Patent number: 6487391
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved receiver capable of receiving either a satellite broadcast signal or a cable TV signal associated with a TV. The inventive receiver comprises a first BPF for filtering received broadcast signals, a first local oscillator for generating a first oscillation signal, a first mixer for generating a first IF signal, a SAW filter producing a waveformed band signal, a second local oscillator, for generating a second and a third oscillation signal, a second mixer for generating a second and a third IF signal, a switching block for switching the second and the third IF signal, a second BPF for producing a baseband channel signal selected from the cable TV signal, a first LPF for producing a baseband I signal of satellite broadcast channel, a shifter for shifting a phase of the third IF signal, a third mixer for generating a phase-shifted third oscillation signal, and a second LPF for producing a baseband Q signal of satellite broadcast channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Daewoo Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Young-Rok Park
  • Patent number: RE39303
    Abstract: A satellite television system that provides live television programming to passengers by integrating direct broadcast satellite services into an in-flight aircraft entertainment system. The system has an antenna disposed on the aircraft that is pointed at a plurality of satellites that are part of a direct broadcast satellite system. The antenna is controlled by an antenna controller and antenna interface unit that send control signals and process status signals to steer the antenna. The antenna is steered to lock it onto RF signals transmitted by the satellites. The antenna interface unit downconverts the received encoded RF signals to provide encoded left hand circularly polarized RF signals and right hand circularly polarized RF signals that contain different sets of television channels. The downconverted encoded RF signals are processed by a receiver to provide encoded video and audio signals of different television channels. The receiver does not decode or D/A convert the downconverted signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins
    Inventors: Richard E. Sklar, Lawrence E. Girard, Ralph P. Phillipp