Mobile TV Receiver Signal Range Exit Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Television viewers experience interruptions in programming when they approach the limits of a satellite or terrestrial broadcast range, as local or regional feeds may not be available from satellite sources, leading to potential loss of signal.

Innovation Solution

A mobile television receiver system that determines when it is about to exit the limited range of a signal source by using information from received signals, signal strength, and location data, and takes remedial actions such as switching to an alternate source, recording the program, or notifying the viewer to continue viewing the program.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a mobile television receiver uses a single signal source with limited range, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of continuous programming access deteriorates when exiting the signal range

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal source managementVSAvoidprogramming availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system combines multiple signal sources (terrestrial broadcast and satellite) into a unified reception system, allowing seamless switching between sources to maintain continuous programming access while managing complexity through integrated control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by monitoring signal strength and predicting exit from signal range before it occurs, enabling proactive source switching or recording actions to ensure continuous programming availability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the system monitors signal strength and location continuously, then the reliability of detecting signal range limits is improved, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal range detectionVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial monitoring by focusing detection efforts on key parameters (signal strength thresholds, location boundaries) rather than continuous full-system monitoring, maintaining reliable detection while reducing overall energy consumption through selective measurement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the system provides multiple remedial actions for signal loss, then the adaptability to maintain viewing is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse optionsVSAvoidsystem architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements multi-functionality by enabling a single platform to perform multiple remedial actions (automatic source switching, initiating recording, notifying user) through a unified control architecture, increasing adaptability while managing complexity through shared components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9930407B2Systems and methods for determining user position via wireless signal characteristics

Publication Date: 2018.03.27 DISH NETWORK LLC

AI summary

Systems and methods are described for presenting a television program to a viewer using a mobile television receiver. The television program is received at the mobile television receiver via a first signal transmitted by a signal source having a limited range. It is determined whether the mobile receiver will exit the limited range of the signal source and, before the mobile receiver exits the limited range of the signal source, an action is facilitated to allow the viewer to continue to view the television program. Actions that may be facilitated include tuning to an alternate source of the television program, obtaining a placeshifted media stream of the television program, recording the television program on a remote video recorder, or simply notifying the viewer that he or she is about to exit the limited range of the signal source.