69 results about "Direct-broadcast satellite" patented technology

An airborne cell phone in-flight entertainment (IFE) system uses a cell phone for calls and IFE requests by dialing appropriate numbers. A pico cell receives the calls and the IFE requests. A soft switch switches the calls and IFE requests according to the telephone number. A transceiver receives the calls from the soft switch and sends them to a ground station that directs them to a telephone system. A media server receives IFE requests and provides IFE to the cell phone. A direct broadcast satellite (DBS) receiver on the aircraft receives DBS signals. A transcoder converts the received DBS signals from one compressed video format to another. A broad-to-connection protocol conversion process receives converted format DBS signals and converts them to video content blocks, stores the video content blocks to a continuously updated buffer and presents them to the media server and then to the cell phone.

A system and method is disclosed for providing a reverse channel to enable interactive communication between a DBS subscriber and DBS service provider. The addition of an interactive return channel overcomes the problems associated with existing audience measurement systems as well as the problems associated with existing DBS signal security techniques.

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 about a central axis of the closed cylinder.

A system and method for creating a virtual media channel including video, audio, multimedia, or other data, at or near the point of reception by end users remotely controls an operation of an end user receiving device. The present invention remotely controls an input source selection at the end user receiving device in a coordinated manner. These input sources may include terrestrial digital broadcast stations, direct broadcast satellites, other broadband data networks, data stored at the end user receiving device, internet content, multimedia files, and other programs or programming. By synchronizing the delivery of programs and programming from various sources and by remotely controlling the input source selection of the end user receiving device, the present invention provides for highly efficient integration of local and national broadcast signals, programs or programming available on other broadband networks, and programs and programming stored at the end user's receiving device. In particular, the present invention provides for the dynamic integration of programming originating from multiple sources, including integration of locally-originated programming with the programming of national program networks delivered by direct broadcast satellite providers or other satellite systems on a market-by-market basis. The present invention further provides for the direct addressing of individual end user receiving devices, allowing the creation of virtual channels of programming or other data that is unique to each end user or to certain classes of end users.

Program materials received from a direct broadcast satellite system are distributed between a host receiver and a client receiver for remote decryption. Using either a same pairing key or different host and client pairing keys, an encrypted media encryption key is received at both the host and client receivers, and the encrypted media encryption key is decrypted at both the host and client receivers using the pairing key. Encrypted program materials are received from the broadcast system at the host receiver, and the encrypted program materials are decrypted at the host receiver using the media encryption key. The encrypted program materials are also transferred from the host receiver to the client receiver, where the encrypted program materials are decrypted at the client receiver using the media encryption key.

A system (10) for generating and modifying multiple unique program guides for one or more markets with respect to program content distributed in the markets via a telecommunications distribution network in accordance with a program schedule. The system includes a scheduling engine (24) for providing a first program guide for a first market and a second program guide for a second market. A user interface (22) is provided for inputting data with respect to updates for the first or the second program guide. A guide factory (28) then automatically updates or modifies the first program guides the second program guide, parameters of the system, and / or a configuration of the system in response to the user provided input data. In the illustrative application, the inventive system is used in connection with a direct broadcast satellite telecommunications network. In accordance with the invention the first and / or the second program guides may be easily split without recoding or reprogramming. A web server (33) is included to facilitate changes from a variety of remote locations.

A system and method for designing a broadband tuner such that VCO pulling is minimized and gaps in frequency coverage are avoided, while total power consumption is reduced, is disclosed. A broadband spectrum is divided into sub-bands and various multipliers to a local oscillator output are introduced. In this fashion, the present invention allows a local oscillator within the broadband tuner to always generate signals that lie outside of the broadband spectrum for a particular broadband application. Additionally, a modulus ratio for a dual modulus prescaler with the local oscillator is maximized, thereby reducing power consumption.

A method and apparatus are provided for a first controlled device, such as a wireless local transmitter that accepts a plurality of digital audio signals and corresponding program information signals converted from a controlled source, such as the encoded digital data provided by a digital data signal source, typically a community antenna television (CATV) cable or direct broadcast satellite, then modulates said digital audio and corresponding program information signals on different carrier frequencies and transmits the modulated signals to a plurality of second controlled devices, such as remote digital receiver / tuners that demodulate said signals to output music in stereophonic sound and display the corresponding program information by means of an alphanumeric display. The first and second controlled devices contain microprocessor systems for communicating, controlling, storing, processing, and display of digital data within the operation of the respective system. A high speed, error free digital signal protocol is utilized for transmitting digital audio and corresponding program information signals to and from the digital receiver / tuner. The digital data transmitter and digital receiver / tuners utilize the 44.1 kilohertz (kHz) Compact Disc (CD) clock signal embedded in digital audio signals provided by an established delivery system to derive clocking signals for reception and processing of digital audio signals and for implementing the display information communications protocol.

A system and method for monitoring direct broadcast satellite signals. In a most general embodiment, the invention (10) includes a mechanism (20) for receiving direct broadcast wireless signals encoded in accordance with a DSS transport protocol. The received signals are analyzed with respect to various parameters and an output is provided in response thereto. In a specific embodiment, the wireless signals are transmitted via satellite and plural integrated receiver decoders (20) are used, one with an associated channel, to receive the wireless signals and provide audio, video, program guide and conditional access signals in response thereto. These signals are analyzed by software (100) running on a computer (56) which outputs alarm data on the detection of anomalies in the received signals.

A system, method and apparatus for collecting and distributing real-time, high resolution images of the Earth (302) from GEO include an electro-optical sensor based on multimegapixel two-dimensional charge coupled device (CCD) arrays mounted on a geostationary platform. At least four, three-axis stabilized satellites (300, 314) in Geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) provide worldwide coverage, excluding the poles. Image data that is collected at approximately 1 frame / sec, is broadcast over high-capacity communication links (306) (roughly 15 MHz bandwidth) providing real-time global coverage of the Earth at sub-kilometer resolutions directly to end users. This data may be distributed globally from each satellite through a system of space and ground telecommunication links. Each satellite carries at least two electro-optical imaging systems that operate at visible wavelengths so as to provide uninterrupted views of the Earth's full disk and coverage at sub-kilometer spatial resolutions of most or selected portions of the Earth's surface.

The invention discloses a direct broadcast satellite broadcasting system with a positioning management function. The direct broadcast satellite broadcasting system with the positioning management function comprises an installed information collecting instrument, a set top box and a position-locking server. The installed information collecting instrument is used for collecting position information of a mounting point of the set top box, identifying information of the set top box, user information and base station information around the mounting point, and for uploading collected information to a position-locking server. In the process of installation, the set top box is used for uploading the base station information around the mounting point and relevant information containing international mobile equipment identification of the set top box to the position-locking server, for receiving position-locking information transmitted by the position-locking server, and the set top box enters into a position-locking state when the position-locking information is stored. The position-locking server is used for detecting whether the uploaded information of the set top box is legal or not by using information collected by the install information collecting instrument, and if the uploaded information of the set top box is legal, the position-locking information containing the base station information around the mounting point is transmitted to the set top box. According to the direct broadcast satellite broadcasting system with the positioning management function, delicacy management to set top boxes of users is achieved.

A system and method is disclosed for providing a reverse channel to enable interactive communication between a DBS subscriber and DBS service provider. The addition of an interactive return channel overcomes the problems associated with existing audience measurement systems as well as the problems associated with existing DBS signal security techniques.

An apparatus integrates a plurality of television signal sources into a cohesive audio / video environment. Internal provisions include a standard broadcast-frequency tuner, cable tuner as well as other optional inputs such as for a direct-broadcast satellite, previously recorded video material, etc. In the preferred embodiment, means are provided whereby a main or primary program channel may be linked to additional channels providing supplementary information to enhance resolution, sound quality, or to facilitate special effects.

Systems and methods are described for authorizing access to network service based upon information obtained from a set-top box (STB) or other subscriber equipment associated with the user requesting access to the network service. The network service suitably contacts a subscriber device associated with the user via the network in response to a request for access that is received from the user. Information obtained from the subscriber device is processed to thereby determine if the user is authorized to use the service. If the user is authorized, then the service is provided via the network. Access to an online video stream, for example, can be conditioned upon the requesting user having an appropriate account with a cable, direct broadcast satellite (DBS) or other service that can be verified through contact with the user's STB or other subscriber equipment.

A direct broadcast satellite (DBS) reception assembly may comprise an integrated circuit that is configurable between or among a plurality of configurations based on content requested by client devices served by the DBS reception assembly. In a first configuration, multiple satellite frequency bands may be digitized by the integrated circuit as a single wideband signal. In a second configuration, the satellite frequency bands may be digitized by the integrated circuit as a plurality of separate narrowband signals. The integrated circuit may comprise a plurality of receive paths, each of the receive chains comprising a respective one of a plurality of low noise amplifiers and a plurality of analog-to-digital converters.

Methods and apparatus permit a one-way downloadable security for electronic signals such as cable television, free-to-air, direct broadcast satellite, electronic device enablement, and other services. The system can allow a broadcast transmission capability (1) to provide an encrypted signal to an individual reception capability (2) in a manner that maintains the full security of a traditional decryption key process while completely eliminating any need for a trusted authority. By including a nascent decryption key generator that may create a secure, key-based environment from an unsecure individualized information transmission (12), a sequence of key(s) from a root key(s) to a derived key(s) to a temporary key(s) and ultimately to a fully random key(s) can be generated in activating a device or a decryption capability for a subscriber.

A bridge is provided for connecting multiple satellite receivers to multiple accessories in a video distribution system such as a direct broadcast satellite system. The bridge is designed for interposition between multiple satellite receivers (set top boxes or STBs) and controllable accessories (e.g. LNBs or multi-switches) of the video distribution system. The bridge provides controlled communication between STBs and controllable accessories using, for example, customized vendor extensions to the DiSEqC communication protocol. The bridge includes a communication protocol transceiver for each STB port, a communication protocol transmitter for each controllable accessory port, a mailbox for each STB port, a mailbox for the bridge, and a controller, processor, processing means or processing logic controlling or regulating video distribution system communication.

The invention discloses a direct broadcast satellite variable coding modulation and self-adaptive coding modulation hybrid working method, which comprises: a step A, in which a front-end system changes the modulation mode and code rate of a frame of data dynamically during program transmission according to program content transmission needs and thus a variable code rate modulation working mode is realized; and a step B, in which the front-end system, in the variable code rate modulation working mode, changes the variable code rate modulation working mode into a self-adaptive coding modulation working mode when acquiring the current system signal-to-noise ratio of a user. In the invention, based on the real-time variable characteristic of a transmission frame structure in a direct broadcast satellite system and the combination of the respective advantages of both the variable code rate modulation working mode and the self-adaptive coding modulation working mode, the utilization of satellite frequency resources is further optimized, the coverage requirements of the satellite broadcast systems are detailed, and the transmission effectiveness of the direct broadcast satellite system is improved.

An integrated multi-beam antenna receiving system controls signal flow to a set of frequency translation devices in order to provide the required signals requested by Integrated Receiver Decoder units (IRDs, or set-top-boxes) within the home. The receiving system is compatible with legacy IRDs, or can support delivery of the requested signals in digital format allowing single coaxial cable or twisted pair delivery into the home. The system supports satellite reception from a mixed constellation of Direct Broadcast Satellites (DBS) and Fixed Satellite Service platforms operating in multiple frequency bands.

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, accessing a terrestrial content service that delivers media content to premises of a subscriber for presentation to media processing equipment of the subscriber. An interruption in the terrestrial content service is determined that interrupts the delivery of the media content item to the media processing equipment. An alternative media content item is identified based on the media content item, wherein the alternative media content item is available by way of a direct broadcast satellite service not subscribed to by the subscriber. The direct broadcast satellite service is provisioned to the media processing equipment responsive to the determining of the interruption in the terrestrial content service. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Program materials received from a direct broadcast satellite system are distributed between a host receiver and a client receiver for remote decryption. Using either a same pairing key or different host and client pairing keys, an encrypted media encryption key is received at both the host and client receivers, and the encrypted media encryption key is decrypted at both the host and client receivers using the pairing key. Encrypted program materials are received from the broadcast system at the host receiver, and the encrypted program materials are decrypted at the host receiver using the media encryption key. The encrypted program materials are also transferred from the host receiver to the client receiver, where the encrypted program materials are decrypted at the client receiver using the media encryption key.

A host receiver and a client receiver are operatively in a direct broadcast satellite system. Program materials received by the host receiver from the direct broadcast satellite system are decrypted by the host receiver. The decrypted program materials are then encrypted at the host receiver using a copy protection key. The copy protection key is encrypted at the host receiver using a host-client pairing key shared between the host receiver and client receiver. The encrypted program materials and the encrypted copy protection key are transferred from the host receiver to the client receiver. The transferred copy protection key is decrypted at the client receiver using the host-client pairing key. The transferred program materials are then decrypted at the client receiver using the decrypted copy protection key.

A first antenna (16) at a user location (14) receives signals at a first frequency where the signals are travelling only within a first directional reception range as measured from a centerline (28) of the first antenna (16). The first antenna (16) has its centerline (28) aligned to receive direct broadcast satellite signals transmitted from a satellite in geosynchronous orbit about the earth. A second antenna (18) at the user location (14) receives signals at the first frequency where the signals are travelling only within a second directional reception range as measured from a centerline (30) of the second antenna (18). The second antenna (18) is aligned to receive signals transmitted at the first frequency from a terrestrial transmitting location remote from the user location. A terrestrial transmitter transmits signals at the first frequency and directionally within a terrestrial azimuth range from the terrestrial transmitting location. The terrestrial transmitting location is located with respect to the user location (14) such that the terrestrial transmitter (20) transmits in directions only outside of the directional reception range of the first antenna (16). The satellite (12) is positioned with respect to the user location (14) such that the satellite transmits directional in directions outside of the directional reception range of the second antenna (18).

A method and apparatus for distributing video content from a direct broadcast satellite system between a host receiver and a client receiver. A family pairing key is transmitted from the direct broadcast satellite system to both the host and client receivers. The family pairing key received by the host and client receivers is decrypted using receiver keys uniquely associated with the host and client receivers, respectively. Decrypted program materials are then encrypted at the host receiver using a copy protection key generated by the host receiver using content information decrypted by the family pairing key. The encrypted program materials are transferred from the host receiver to the client receiver. The encrypted program materials are decrypted at the client receiver using the copy protection key. Like the host receiver, the copy protection key is generated by the client receiver using content information decrypted by the family pairing key.

The invention relates to CPE equipment supporting 4K or 8K television live broadcast and an application system thereof. The system comprises a processor with a routing function, the processor is connected with a communication module, a WiFi module in communication connection with a mobile terminal, a network module in communication connection with a fixed terminal and capable of accessing a broadband network, and a direct broadcast satellite code stream conversion module. The direct broadcast satellite code stream conversion module comprises a satellite receiving antenna, a multi-channel Tunermodule and a descrambling module with a descrambling chip which are connected in sequence, the direct broadcast satellite code stream conversion module sends descrambled video data to the processor,and video distribution is carried out on terminal users through the WiFi module or the network module. The CPE is applied to an application system in which a terminal is connected with a network communication base station and receives satellite television signals. The CPE integrates all the modules into a whole, so that network communication signals and 4K or 8K television live broadcast signals can operate independently, and the problem that the television live broadcast signals need to occupy network channels to be transmitted when traditional CPE is used is solved.

The invention discloses a direct broadcast satellite emergency broadcasting system and a direct broadcast satellite broadcast reception device. The direct broadcast satellite emergency broadcasting system comprises an emergency broadcast scheduling module and an audio information broadcasting module; the emergency broadcast scheduling module is used for receiving the emergency broadcast information, analyzing the emergency broadcast information and confirming the emergency broadcast type of the emergency broadcast information; the audio information broadcasting module is used for sending the emergency broadcast information to a direct broadcast satellite television broadcasting signal under the condition that the emergency broadcast type is the audio emergency broadcast. According to the direct broadcast satellite emergency broadcasting system and the direct broadcast satellite broadcast reception device, the emergency broadcast information from an emergency department is received, the emergency broadcast information from the emergency department is processed and issued to the direct broadcast satellite television broadcasting signal, and therefore the emergency broadcast information can be received and played by the majority of users through direct broadcast satellite broadcasting television terminals, so that corresponding emergency measures can be taken.

A satellite reception assembly may comprise a first module operable to demodulate a first one or more channels of a signal output by a direct broadcast satellite (DBS) low noise block downconverter (LNB). The first module may output a signal to a second module which may demodulate a second one or more channels of the signal output by the DBS LNB. The second module may be installed after the satellite reception assembly has been deployed upon a number of clients served by the satellite reception assembly reaching a threshold.

A method and apparatus for coupling an Integrated Receiver Decoder (IRD) to a telephone line via a coaxial cable used for delivering direct broadcast satellite signals to the IRD. One embodiment comprises a port coupler, coupled to a telephone line and to the coaxial cable, and a client unit, coupled between the port coupler and the IRD, wherein the port coupler connects the IRD to the direct broadcast satellite signals and connects the IRD to the phone line via the client unit, and at least satellite signals, satellite control signals, telephone data signals, and telephone system protocol signals travel on the coaxial cable between the client unit and the port coupler.