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.

Abstract: A cabin services system for an aircraft is disclosed. The cabin services system comprises at least one wireless network, the at least one wireless network providing at least one cabin service. The cabin services system further includes a cabin attendant panel for communicating with the at least one wireless networks and configured to control the at least one cabin service.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods to receive and display digital television signals are described. In one embodiment, an apparatus to receive digital television signals comprises an antenna assembly coupled to the signal processing circuitry and comprising a first antenna positioned to maximize reception in a first direction and a second antenna positioned to maximize reception in a second direction, different from the first direction, and a processor coupled to the antenna assembly and comprising a selection logic module to select an antenna to receive a digital television signal for a specific channel, and a tuning logic module to configure the antenna assembly to receive a signal via a selected antenna.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems for aligning an antenna reflector with satellites in a satellite configuration.

Abstract: A method for validating antenna installation to a broadcast provider to ensure proper alignment of the antenna with the broadcast provider's satellite system. The feedback provided by the customer, the installer, and signal strength and quality information communicated from the receiver to the broadcast provider are used to confirm proper installation. Upon confirmation of proper installation, the data can be used to troubleshoot equipment, or issue payment to the installer.

Abstract: When an RF signal is output, noise is prevented from appearing in the RF signal without degrading convenience. The MPU of the set top box has a functionally of an RF determination portion, which determines whether or not the RF signal is being output, the antenna setting portion, which if it is determined by the RF determination portion that the output of the RF signal is started, sets a smart antenna to preset one direction of a first predetermined number of directions and to preset one gain of a second predetermined number of steps of gains, and a change prohibition portion which prohibits a change of a direction and gain of the smart antenna if it is determined by the RF determination portion that the RF signal is being output.

Abstract: An appropriate direction and gain value of a smart antenna are efficiently searched for. The MPU 11 of the set top box functionally has the condition setting portion which selects a gain from the second predetermined number of steps of gains and sets it, and selects a direction from the first predetermined number of directions and sets it, the receiving state evaluation portion which generates receiving quality information that indicates the quality of a receiving state of a television broadcast received via the receiving portion, the receiving determination portion which determines whether or not a receiving state is good based on the generated receiving quality information, and the search end portion which when the receiving state is determined good, records the set one gain and one direction as the receiving conditions into the condition storage portion and makes the condition setting portion end the setting processings of gains and directions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for acquiring and demodulating a data stream transmitted in a communication system. A method in accordance with the present invention comprises finding a boundary of a physical layer frame (PLFrame) in the data stream, finding a first 26 bits of a Unique Word (UW) associated with the data stream, finding a scrambling code utilizing the UW, and using a decoding procedure to determine a modulation type and code rate used for desired signals within the data stream.

Abstract: A signal distribution and control system where signals are distributed and control signals transmitted via a single coaxial cable. Integrated Receiver/Decoder (IRD) units communicate with a Frequency Translation Module (FTM) for construction of a custom data signal for delivery to all IRDs coupled to a given FTM. The commands sent by the IRDs to control the FTM inform the FTM which signals are of interest and should be placed on the custom data signal, also called the combined IRD channels. Previously installed IRDs that cannot generate the new commands are still supported in the system via legacy ports in the multiswitch.

Abstract: An automatic level controlled system for delivering satellite signals to at least one Integrated Receiver Decoder (IRD). The system includes a plurality of inputs, designed to receive a plurality of satellite signals, wherein the satellite signals are directed to the inputs based on an originating satellite for each of the satellite signals, an automatic level controller, coupled to the inputs, for adjusting a signal strength associated with each the satellite signals such that each of the signal strengths are within a predetermined range, a multiswitch, having a plurality of inputs and a plurality of outputs, wherein at least one input of the multiswitch is coupled to the automatic level controller, and an interface, wherein at least one of the outputs of the multiswitch provides a signal to the interface, such that at least one new IRD coupled to an output of the interface receives a portion of a satellite signal based on commands sent to the interface from the new IRD.

Abstract: Multiple systems for delivering satellite signals are described.

Abstract: A bandwidth-limited system for delivering satellite video signals.

Abstract: A television receiver is connected to a multi-directional antenna, and stores, in a memory, a receiving direction table containing: channel numbers; best receiving directions of the multi-directional antenna for receiving the respective channels; and register channel information indicating whether the channels are registered as selectable or non-selectable. The receiving direction table is used for selecting each channel. Based on the operation of a user interface by a user (S42), the register channel information of the receiving direction table can be changed (S44, S45), so that the user can optionally set selectable channels. Thus, the user can preliminarily delete channels in bad receiving conditions from candidates of selectable channels.

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.

Abstract: A television receiver is connected to a multi-directional antenna, and stores, in a memory, a receiving direction table containing: channel numbers; best receiving directions of the multi-directional antenna for receiving the respective channels; and register channel information indicating whether the channels are registered as selectable or non-selectable. The receiving direction table is used for selecting each channel. Based on the operation of a user interface by a user (S42), the register channel information of the receiving direction table can be changed (S44, S46), so that the user can optionally set selectable channels. Best receiving directions of channels registered in the receiving direction table as non-selectable are deleted from the receiving direction table (S45), so that the amount of information stored in the memory can be reduced, thereby saving capacity of the memory.

Abstract: Various systems and methods allow control information to be provided between a set top box (STB) or other receiver and the outdoor unit (ODU) associated with the satellite antenna over a control network in a network format, such as an IEEE 802.15.4 or other peer-to-peer network format. The ODU includes a network interface that receives instructions from the television receiver via a control network in a peer-to-peer network format. Received satellite broadcast signals are received, converted, demodulated or otherwise processed in response to the instruction received via the control network. The resulting signal is transmitted across a cable connection to the television receiver to thereby allow viewing of the television content by the viewer.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for aligning an antenna reflector with satellites in a satellite configuration. A method in accordance with the present invention comprises aligning the reflector in azimuth and elevation with a first signal transmitted by a first satellite in the satellite configuration, and aligning the reflector in tilt with a second signal transmitted by a second satellite in the satellite configuration, wherein aligning the reflector in azimuth and elevation with the first signal and in tilt with the second signal aligns the reflector with at least a third signal transmitted from a third satellite.

Abstract: When a channel of a digital TV broadcasting is selected, a direction information of the channel, which is stored in a channel setting table, is set in a smart antenna and then, in a case of a signal absence state of a broadcasting signal or when a reduction of receiving signal intensity is detected, an optimal directivity direction, in which the broadcasting signal is reproducible and the receiving state of the wave is optimal, is determined by switching (scanning) the directivity direction of the smart antenna. And, the determined directivity direction is stored in the channel setting table as the direction information of a current channel and the directivity direction is set in the smart antenna.

Abstract: A low profile low cost mobile in-motion antenna system for satellite TV reception using DVB with different either BPSK or CDMA like modulation schemes is described. In some embodiments, a low resolution version of a video transmission may be used as a backup for a higher resolution version of the video transmission.

Abstract: A TV receiver preliminarily measures and stores, in a memory, data of best receiving directions, each giving maximum signal intensity, of a multi-directional antenna for receivable channels. When the antenna rotationally shifts physically for some reason, one channel is selected and subjected to measurements by an omni-directional scanning again to determine a new best receiving direction. A receiving direction number difference between the stored best receiving direction and the new best receiving direction of the same channel is determined. Using the receiving direction number difference for the one channel, all data stored in the memory are renewed at one time, the data being the best receiving direction numbers and the signal intensities therefor for all the channels. The antenna direction can be quickly adjusted to the rotational shift by new measurements for one channel, without requiring time to make unnecessary measurements for all channels, achieving a best receiving condition steadily.

Abstract: A radio-frequency signal receiver capable of enhancing reception performance includes an antenna for receiving radio-frequency signals, a first switch having an end coupled to the antenna, a filter coupled to the first switch, a second switch having an end coupled to the first switch and an end coupled to the filter, a low noise amplifier coupled to the second switch for amplifying signals received from the second switch, a frequency down converter coupled to the low noise amplifier for down-converting a frequency of signals outputted from the low noise amplifier, a signal processing circuit coupled to the frequency down converter for performing signal processing, and a control circuit for controlling the first and the second switches.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods to receive and display digital television signals are described. In one embodiment, an apparatus to receive digital television signals comprises an antenna assembly coupled to the signal processing circuitry and comprising a first antenna positioned to maximize reception in a first direction and a second antenna positioned to maximize reception in a second direction, different from the first direction, and a processor coupled to the antenna assembly and comprising a selection logic module to select an antenna to receive a digital television signal for a specific channel, and a tuning logic module to configure the antenna assembly to receive a signal via a selected antenna.

Abstract: A multi-directional antenna connected with a digital television broadcast signal receiver is arranged not to move one full turn instantaneously in response to an abrupt drop down in the intensity of a received signal thus to avoid any downward overshooting of the intensity of the received signal and eliminate any useless direction searching time while remains favorably controlled to face in the direction where the intensity of the received signal is at optimum. More specifically, the maximum of the intensity of a received signal at each channel is measured and the threshold is set to a level lower than the maximum. When the intensity of a received signal has dropped down from the threshold, the antenna remains not turned within a predetermined period of marginal time. The antenna is moved one full turn only when the intensity drops down from the threshold and stays continuously over the predetermined period of marginal time.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for acquiring and demodulating a data stream transmitted in a communication system. A method in accordance with the present invention comprises finding a boundary of a physical layer frame (PLFrame) in the data stream, finding a first 26 bits of a Unique Word (UW) associated with the data stream, finding a scrambling code utilizing the UW, and using a decoding procedure to determine a modulation type and code rate used for desired signals within the data stream.

Abstract: Disclosed is an antenna system, including: an antenna which can switch directivity thereof when receiving an analog television broadcasting signal; a switching section to switch the directivity of the antenna; a measurement section to measure radio wave quality of the analog television broadcasting signal received by the antenna by analyzing the analog television broadcasting signal when the directivity of the antenna is switched by the switching section; a storage section to store data of radio wave quality in different directions measured by the measurement section for each channel; and a control section to control the switching section to switch the directivity of the antenna to one direction having a highest radio wave quality among the different directions corresponding to a desired channel when the desired channel is designated.

Abstract: A television receiver is connected to a multi-directional antenna having multiple receiving directions for receiving a television signal by making one receiving direction active, and comprises a clock, a tuner, a memory for storing a receiving direction table having content containing channel numbers and a best receiving direction, and a microprocessor for controlling the receiver. Based on the time measured by the clock, the microprocessor renews the content of the table at a preset time, and outputs, to the antenna, a control signal to command a receiving direction for receiving one channel based on the renewed content of the table. The receiver can properly adapt to the variations in time of the receiving conditions of terrestrial broadcasts based on the renewed content of the table, and can automatically renew the content of the table in a time zone when a user does not view a television program.

Abstract: In a digital TV broadcast signal receiver connected to a multi-directional antenna called smart antenna, a time necessary for deciding an optimum signal receiving direction of each receivable channel is shortened with using local information relating to a location of the multi-directional antenna and information of TV towers including location information of TV towers and channel information of channels, TV broadcast signals of which are transmitted from each TV tower. When the local information is inputted, the digital TV broadcast signal receiver identifies at least one TV tower and selects a channel based on the channel information. An optimum signal receiving direction of the selected channel are decided as the optimum signal receiving directions of all the channels transmitted from the same TV tower.

Abstract: When a multi-directional antenna is connected to a digital TV broadcast signal receiver, the digital TV broadcast signal receiver measures a term suitable for switching or changing an effective signal receiving direction of the multi-directional antenna corresponding to kind or specification of the multi-directional antenna. Control signals are outputted at an interval suitable for switching or changing the effective signal receiving direction of the multi-directional antenna corresponding to the measured term so as to switch the effective signal receiving direction of the multi-directional antenna to an optimum signal receiving direction of a channel chosen by a user. Consequently, it is possible to shorten a term necessary for switching or changing the effective signal receiving direction of the multi-directional antenna to the optimum signal receiving direction of the channel chosen by the user.

Abstract: It is determined whether phase noise and parasitic oscillation take place on the basis of a carrier-to-noise (C/N) ratio calculated with amplitudes in an amplitude direction of signal points of a reception signal and a C/N ratio calculated with amplitudes in a phase direction of the signal points of the reception signal. Further, when it has been determined that phase noise and parasitic oscillation take place, an alarm is displayed on a screen. When it has been determined that phase noise and parasitic oscillation take place, the phase of a demodulation circuit is compensated based on the detected phase noise.

Abstract: A device and method for automatically changing a broadcast channel of a vehicle television with a diversity antenna is provided. The device includes an antenna switching unit connected with the diversity antennas and switching one of the diversity antennas; an image signal level detector for detecting an image signal level; an audio signal level detector for detecting an audio signal level; a storage unit for storing regional broadcast channel information, a channel change history, a value of number of switching times; and a controller for controlling the antenna switching unit, counting and storing the number of switching times, checking a quality of the broadcast signal, deciding a desired broadcast channel, and controlling the tuner to change into the decided broadcast channel.

Abstract: A method for satellite lock-on in an antenna system by channel selection is initiated by receiving a channel selection signal. The channel selection signal is flagged to retrieve satellite parameters corresponding to the selected channel from a pre-stored satellite channel table which provides a correlation among the channels, the bands and the satellite coordinates. Then, according to the retrieved satellite parameters, an antenna control signal and thus a drive signal are generated orderly to drive the antenna to direct at the satellite responsible to the selected channel.

Abstract: In a receiving apparatus equipped with a plurality of tuners, if a reception antenna is controlled in such a manner that a reception condition of a channel tuned by one tuner may become suitable, then a reception condition of the channel tuned by another tuner does not always become suitable. The receiving apparatus is provided with an antenna control unit which controls a reception antenna whose reception condition can be set, a first receiving unit, a second receiving unit, and a storage unit which stores thereinto tuning information such as a tuning channel, signal quality information, and a reception antenna setting condition. The receiving apparatus calculates a setting condition of the reception antenna capable of obtaining suitable receiving conditions in both the first and second receiving units by employing tuning information in a first channel and tuning information in a second channel.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for aligning an antenna reflector with satellites in a satellite configuration. A method in accordance with the present invention comprises aligning the reflector in azimuth and elevation with a first signal transmitted by a first satellite in the satellite configuration, and aligning the reflector in tilt with a second signal transmitted by a second satellite in the satellite configuration, wherein aligning the reflector in azimuth and elevation with the first signal and in tilt with the second signal aligns the reflector with at least a third signal transmitted from a third satellite.

Abstract: A receiver system equipped with a first and second reception units for receiving a satellite radio broadcasting prevents a reception unit switching operations by using signal selection data that provides satellite availability for respective operation areas. The satellite radio broadcasting reception quality in each of the respective operation areas is improved because of the reduced chance of dropout or the like in the broadcasted contents of the satellite radio broadcasting received by the receiver system.

Abstract: An antenna system and a corresponding method for satellite lock-on applied to vehicles automatically lock on at least one satellite in the space by means of a lock-on signal. The technique features on a scan driving signal that initiates a space scan of the antenna system so as to obtain a scan data. According to peak values of the scan data, coordinates of a plurality of satellites in the space are realized and individually recorded. Then, after receiving a lock-on signal, the satellite coordinate of the satellite to be locked is retrieved so as to drive the antenna to point at the satellite to be locked.

Abstract: A broadcast reception apparatus is connected to a directional antenna capable of changing an airwave reception direction. The broadcast reception apparatus includes a tuner selecting a frequency of airwave received by the directional antenna. When a prescribed condition is satisfied, power is supplied to the tuner, and thereafter power is supplied to the directional antenna.

Abstract: A digital television broadcast signal receiver connected to a multi-directional antenna carries out in advance automatic scanning for each channel to determine and store the strength of a signal received in each of multiple receiving directions of the antenna, a best receiving direction, and a maximum value of the received signal strengths, normalize the received signal strengths measured in the respective directions with respect to the maximum received signal strength, and produce and store an antenna direction level pattern including a bar graph that shows the received signal strengths in the respective directions with the normalized values used as the amplitude. In response to a command from a user, the receiver superimposes the level pattern on a video image being received for display on a display screen, so that a user can select a receiving direction on the screen.

Abstract: A set top box (100) arrangement includes transmitting circuitry (104) for transmitting a message and an emulated reply to the message, and receiver circuitry (105) for receiving the control message and comparing the control message to the emulated reply to the message. The transmitted message and emulated reply message are each a digital satellite equipment control message. The emulated reply message that was received is compared with the reply that was transmitted to verify 22 kHz tone operation of a low noise block downconverter power supply.

Abstract: A broadcast receiver includes a smart antenna, a tuner for extracting a signal of a predetermined channel from airwaves received by the smart antenna, a signal processing unit for processing the signal extracted by this tuner, and a control unit for controlling the smart antenna. The control unit detects a receivable direction by performing automatic scanning for each of the channels with respect to each of the directions of the smart antenna, and when the receivable direction is first detected during execution of automatic scanning for a certain channel, the automatic scanning is stopped at a point in time of the detection and transition to automatic scanning for the next channel is made.

Abstract: A television tuner that receives a television signal using a smart antenna includes a rescan unit that executes rescan; that is: that when an instruction that instructs direct selection of a reception channel on which a television signal is currently received is issued during reception of a television broadcast service, causes an antenna control section to vary or control the receiving direction of the smart antenna and causes a signal state detector section to detect the states of signals sampled in all receiving directions; and that if the state of a signal detected by the signal state detector section agrees with a predetermined signal state, preserves the receiving direction of the smart antenna in which the signal is sampled. Consequently, rescan can be executed for all the receiving directions of the smart antenna by performing a simple manipulation.

Abstract: An automatic feedback adjustment device for a digital antenna includes a digital antenna unit, a trafficator, a tuner, a demodulator, an antenna direction driver unit, a secondary controller, and a primary controller. The digital antenna unit is a digital video/broadcasting antenna system. The trafficator is connected to the digital antenna unit to retrieve direction data associated with the actual elevation angle and direction. The tuner is connected to the digital antenna unit and the demodulator is connected to the tuner in order to receive and convert a transmission signal from a transmission terminal into the video data and a received-signal quality signal. The antenna direction driver unit is connected to the digital antenna unit in order to drive adjustment of direction and elevation angle of the antenna.

Abstract: For determining connection of a TV broadcast receiver for receiving terrestrial broadcasts to a smart antenna with multiple receiving directions having a current active receiving direction, the receiver sends, to the connected antenna, a control signal to change the current active receiving direction to a further active receiving direction, so as to determine that a smart antenna is connected to the receiver if intensity of a television broadcast signal received and measured in the further active receiving direction is significantly varied from that in the current receiving direction. If the intensity of the television broadcast signal in the further active receiving direction is not significantly varied, the receiver determines that a smart antenna is disconnected from the receiver, and displays a message indicating the disconnection to a user. Thus, this receiver can automatically determine the kind of connected antenna, and display information about the connected antenna to the user.

Abstract: In multi-directional antennas connected to a digital TV broadcast signal receiver, when a receiving channel is selected, if an antenna is set to the same direction as a previously stored direction, and signals cannot be received, the previously stored direction data is deleted, and if the best receiving direction is searched by the auto-scan, and a receivable direction does not match the previously stored receiving direction, the stored direction information is all deleted, the entire area scan is performed over all directions for all channels, and a new receiving direction for each channel is determined by the obtained best receiving direction.

Abstract: An object is to provide antenna system capable to decide optimal receiving direction of antenna, and television receiver provided with such antenna system. The antenna system includes CPU that executes switching program to switch directional property of antenna sequentially, CPU that executes determination program to determine whether TV broadcast signal is received or not each time directional property of antenna is switched, CPU that executes decision program to decide direction of directional property of the antenna when it is determined that TV broadcast signal was received, as optimal receiving direction that corresponds to one channel, and number of decision times data table to store receiving direction decided as optimal receiving direction and number of decision times receiving direction was decided as optimal receiving direction in correspondence with each other. Directional property of antenna is switched sequentially from receiving direction that has larger number of decision times.

Abstract: A TV broadcast receiver measures, at least two times, a signal intensity in a maximum receiving direction and a signal intensity in the 180 degree opposite receiving direction among 16 receiving directions of a smart antenna. If the signal intensity in the maximum receiving direction is significantly different from that in the opposite receiving direction, it determines that the smart antenna is connected. If the signal intensity in the maximum receiving direction is substantially the same as that in the opposite receiving direction, it determines that the smart antenna is disconnected. It displays messages of the connection and disconnection of the smart antenna on a monitor. This makes it possible to quickly determine whether the antenna connected to the TV broadcast receiver is a smart antenna or a stationary unidirectional antenna.

Abstract: In a digital TV broadcast signal receiver connected to a multi-directional antenna called smart antenna and receivable not only digital TV broadcast signals but also analogue TV broadcast signals, an optimum signal receiving direction of an analogue TV broadcast signal of an optional channel can be decided with reducing affect of ghost due to reflection of the TV broadcast signal by such as a high-rise building, or the like. An NTSC decoder takes a still image data from an analogue TV broadcast signal in each signal receiving direction of the multi-directional antenna, and performs an A/D conversion processing and a JPEG compression processing to the image data. A controller decides a direction, in which a complexity, such as bit rate of the image data is the smallest, as an optimum signal receiving direction of the channel.

Abstract: A worldwide television tuning system is configurable to the television standards and channel frequencies of multiple different countries based on a country's ITU long-distance country code. The tuning system maintains a country code table listing a plurality of countries according to their ITU codes. The tuning system also maintains multiple channel-to-frequency mapping tables that correlate channel numbers to corresponding frequencies for associated countries in the country table. The country table indexes the channel-to-frequency mapping tables. During configuration, a user or application selects a particular country by passing in the ITU code. The tuning system uses the ITU code to locate an entry for that country in the country code table. The table entry contains an index to an associated channel-to-frequency mapping table for the selected country. The tuning system loads and saves the channel-to-frequency mapping table for subsequent use.

Abstract: In a broadcast receiver, determination is made, as channel search, whether a broadcast wave is valid for reception for all reception directions by a variable directional antenna with respect to only the frequency having the information stored as being invalid for reception in a storage unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a satellite receiver comprising a base, a rotation stand, an adjusting mechanism, and a positioning device. The base has an axis aperture and a first slot. The rotation stand is rotatably attached to the base through the axis aperture. The adjusting mechanism has a connection end and an adjusting end. The connection end is coupled with the rotation stand and is movable together with the upper stand to generate displacement relative to the base. The positioning device is coupled with the adjusting end and passes through the first slot. When the upper stand rotates relatively to the base, the adjusting mechanism drives the positioning device to move along the first slot. The first slot limits the angular rotation of the rotation stand and the positioning device and selectively constrains the relative displacement between the connecting unit and the base.

Abstract: In a digital TV broadcast signal receiver connected to a multi-directional antenna called smart antenna, having a first number, for example, sixteen of signal receiving directions defined in a technical standard such as EIA-909, a simplified multi-directional antenna having a second number, for example, four or eight signal receiving directions smaller than the first number is connectable. When a multi-directional antenna is connected, an initial processing is performed for confirming a number of signal receiving directions of the multi-directional antenna. When the multi-directional antenna is simplified one, the digital TV broadcast signal receiver treats the signal receiving directions more than two showing substantially the same signal sensing conditions as the same direction. Therefore, a number of times for switching the effective signal receiving direction of the multi-directional antenna can be reduced without switching indistinctive signal receiving directions in practice.