Satellite Signal Interruption Handling via Alternate Stream Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Broadcast television signal reception is frequently disrupted by weather conditions such as snow, ice, or dust accumulation on DBS antennas, leading to service interruptions during live events or programming.
Innovation Solution
A television receiver system that monitors signal quality and switches to a lower-quality alternative stream from an alternate source, such as a network server, when the broadcast signal becomes weak or unavailable, ensuring continuous playback of programming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the system uses a high-quality broadcast signal for television programming, then the viewing quality is improved, but the system becomes vulnerable to weather-related signal interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary alternative signal source (third 148) that mediates between the primary broadcast signal and the viewer. When the broadcast signal degrades due to weather, the intermediary alternative source provides continuous content delivery, preventing total service interruption while maintaining the primary antenna system for normal conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the signal quality parameter by switching from high-quality broadcast signal to lower-quality alternative stream when weather conditions degrade reception. This parameter change allows the system to maintain acceptable viewing experience during outages while preserving high quality when conditions permit.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the system switches to a lower-quality alternative stream during signal outages, then continuous playback is maintained, but the video quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system prepares alternative content sources in advance that can be activated when signal outages occur. This beforehand cushioning ensures that when the primary broadcast signal fails, viewing service continues without interruption, with the understanding that quality may be reduced during the transition and outage periods.
Solution Approach 2:
During signal outages, the system provides partial viewing service through alternative streams rather than complete service denial. This partial action maintains viewer engagement and provides sufficient content delivery even though the full broadcast quality is unavailable during the crisis condition.
3Device complexity
If the DBS antenna is left unchanged during adverse weather, then the system structure remains simple, but service interruptions occur during live events
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary monitoring of signal quality parameters and automatically activates alternative sources before complete signal failure occurs. This preliminary action prevents total program interruption by transitioning to alternative content delivery in advance, reducing the loss of time during live events without requiring complex manual intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, devices and methods are described to obtain a lower-quality replacement when the reception of a direct broadcast satellite (DBS) or other broadcast television signal becomes weak or unavailable due to weather, maintenance or other circumstances. The received broadcast television signal is monitored by a receiver, antenna, outdoor unit or the like. When the received broadcast signal becomes weak or unavailable, the television receiver obtains a lower quality replacement for received broadcast signal from a network service or other alternate source to thereby continue the playback of the television program. Lower quality alternatives may include lower quality video streams, audio streams, text tickers, web pages or the like.