Abstract: A method of operating a communication system includes communicating a sounding signal to a plurality of devices through a first antenna array coupled to a basestation. The method further includes, in response to the sounding signal, communicating a response signal to the basestation from each of the plurality of devices, from the response signal determining device data comprising a device location, a signal strength of the sounding signal and phase information of the sounding signal, grouping the plurality of devices into a first group based on the device data, generating first transmit beamforming weights for the first group to shape the power output of the first beamforming weight vector to communicate a data signal to the first group and broadcasting the data signal to the first group through a wireless signal from the first antenna array using the first transmit beamforming weights and nulls.

Abstract: A method of operating a communication system includes communicating a sounding signal to a plurality of devices through a first antenna array coupled to a basestation. The method further includes, in response to the sounding signal, communicating a response signal to the basestation from each of the plurality of devices, from the response signal determining device data comprising a device location, a signal strength of the sounding signal and phase information of the sounding signal, grouping the plurality of devices into a first group based on the device data, generating first transmit beamforming weights for the first group to shape the power output of the first beamforming weight vector to communicate a data signal to the first group and broadcasting the data signal to the first group through a wireless signal from the first antenna array using the first transmit beamforming weights and nulls.

Abstract: A user device and method comprising a satellite signal determination module receiving a satellite signal from a satellite comprising a first satellite signal identifier, a memory storing an expected satellite signal identifier for an authorized location of the user device, a comparison module comparing the first satellite signal identifier to the expected satellite signal identifier to identify the first satellite signal as unexpected when the first satellite signal is not the expected satellite signal and a disable module disabling the user device from processing satellite signals in response to comparing.

Abstract: A method of operating a communication system includes communicating a sounding signal to a plurality of devices through a first antenna array coupled to a basestation. The method further includes, in response to the sounding signal, communicating a response signal to the basestation from each of the plurality of devices, from the response signal determining device data comprising a device location, a signal strength of the sounding signal and phase information of the sounding signal, grouping the plurality of devices into a first group based on the device data, generating first transmit beamforming weights for the first group to shape the power output of the first beamforming weight vector to communicate a data signal to the first group and broadcasting the data signal to the first group through a wireless signal from the first antenna array using the first transmit beamforming weights and nulls.

Abstract: A user device and method comprising a satellite signal determination module receiving a satellite signal from a satellite comprising a first satellite signal identifier, a memory storing an expected satellite signal identifier for an authorized location of the user device, a comparison module comparing the first satellite signal identifier to the expected satellite signal identifier to identify the first satellite signal as unexpected when the first satellite signal is not the expected satellite signal and a disable module disabling the user device from processing satellite signals in response to comparing.

Abstract: A method of operating a communication system includes communicating a sounding signal to a plurality of devices through a first antenna array coupled to a basestation. The method further includes, in response to the sounding signal, communicating a response signal to the basestation from each of the plurality of devices, from the response signal determining device data comprising a device location, a signal strength of the sounding signal and phase information of the sounding signal, grouping the plurality of devices into a first group based on the device data, generating first transmit beamforming weights for the first group to shape the power output of the first beamforming weight vector to communicate a data signal to the first group and broadcasting the data signal to the first group through a wireless signal from the first antenna array using the first transmit beamforming weights and nulls.

Abstract: A user device and method comprising a satellite signal determination module receiving a satellite signal from a satellite comprising a first satellite signal identifier, a memory storing an expected satellite signal identifier for an authorized location of the user device, a comparison module comparing the first satellite signal identifier to the expected satellite signal identifier to identify the first satellite signal as unexpected when the first satellite signal is not the expected satellite signal and a disable module disabling the user device from processing satellite signals in response to comparing.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating content using remnant capacity includes an intermediate device having a content storage, a user device in communication with the intermediate device and a communication system provider communicating content to the intermediate device. The intermediate device stores the content the content storage. The user device requests content from the content storage. The intermediate device communicates content from the content storage to the user device in real time in response to requesting.

Abstract: A system and method for determining unauthorized use of a set top box includes a satellite signal determination module in the set top box receives a satellite signal from a satellite comprising a first satellite signal identifier. A memory in the set top box stores a second satellite signal identifier for a location of the user device. The user device also includes a comparison module comparing the first satellite signal identifier to the second satellite signal identifier and a disable module disabling the user device from processing satellite signals in response to comparing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for combining a satellite broadcast system with a network. A system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention comprises a plurality of satellite receivers, wherein each of the satellite receivers is coupled to both the satellite broadcast system and the network, wherein a first receiver in the plurality of satellite receivers receives data from at least a second receiver in the plurality of receivers via the network.

Abstract: Systems and methods for combining a satellite broadcast system with a network. A system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention comprises a plurality of satellite receivers, wherein each of the satellite receivers is coupled to both the satellite broadcast system and the network, wherein a first receiver in the plurality of satellite receivers receives data from at least a second receiver in the plurality of receivers via the network.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating content using remnant capacity includes an intermediate device having a content storage, a user device in communication with the intermediate device and a communication system provider communicating content to the intermediate device. The intermediate device stores the content the content storage. The user device requests content from the content storage. The intermediate device communicates content from the content storage to the user device in real time in response to requesting.

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.

Abstract: Systems and methods for combining a satellite broadcast system with a wireless system are described. The system comprises a satellite receive antenna and a wireless system device coupled thereto, the wireless system device comprising a wireless network antenna, a wireless radio system coupled to the antenna, a networking bridge coupled to the radio system, and a coaxial networking bridge for coupling a satellite signal on the satellite broadcast system with a wireless signal on the wireless network, wherein the coaxial network bridge enables a device to receive the satellite signal and the wireless signal.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating content to a user device that includes a storage device having a network portion and a user portion. The user device stores content in a network partition thereof. The user device reallocates the content to a user portion of the storage device after storing is complete.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating content to a user device includes a head end that communicates a plurality of upcoming content metadata that includes a content title to the user device. The user device displays the upcoming content metadata and selects at least one upcoming content metadata from the plurality of upcoming content metadata to form selected data. The user device communicates the selected data to the head end. The head end adjusts head end communication parameters for the content associated with the selected data based on the selected data and communicates the content to a user device based on the head end communication parameters.

Abstract: A device and method for communicating information using a plurality of communication paths is disclosed. In one embodiment, the device transmits provides information between a port of a wireless transceiver to a coaxial power connector coupled to a coaxial cable network, thereby providing a wired communication path from one network device to another network device to augment or replace the wireless communication path between the same devices.

Abstract: A system and method for determining unauthorized use of a set top box includes a satellite signal determination module in the set top box receives a satellite signal from a satellite comprising a first satellite signal identifier. A memory in the set top box stores a second satellite signal identifier for a location of the user device. The user device also includes a comparison module comparing the first satellite signal identifier to the second satellite signal identifier and a disable module disabling the user device from processing satellite signals in response to comparing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for combining signals received from a direct broadcast satellite system with signals received from a wireless network, includes a satellite antenna for receiving the signals from the direct broadcast satellite system; and a wireless network antenna, co-located with the satellite antenna, for receiving the signals from the wireless network. The wireless network antenna includes an antenna assembly that is rotated by a controller based on characteristics of the signals received from the wireless network. The controller energizes and de-energizes a motor to mechanically rotate the antenna assembly to properly align the wireless network antenna to communicate with the wireless network. The wireless network antenna comprises a closed cylinder, wherein the antenna assembly is rotatably mounted within the closed cylinder, such that, upon command from the controller, the motor engages the antenna assembly to mechanically rotate the antenna assembly about a central axis of the closed cylinder.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating content to a user device includes a head end that communicates a plurality of upcoming content metadata that includes a content title to the user device. The user device displays the upcoming content metadata and selects at least one upcoming content metadata from the plurality of upcoming content metadata to form selected data. The user device communicates the selected data to the head end. The head end adjusts head end communication parameters for the content associated with the selected data based on the selected data and communicates the content to a user device based on the head end communication parameters.