69 results about "Direct-broadcast satellite" patented technology

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 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.

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 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.

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.