Automatic User Band Assignment in Satellite Signal Distribution

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for user band assignment in satellite signal distribution systems are inconvenient, requiring manual configuration by technicians, are time-consuming, and prone to errors, especially during installations and after critical failures like power outages, leading to increased costs and customer dissatisfaction.

Innovation Solution

A method where set top boxes (STBs) request user bands from a channel stacking switch (CSS), which consults a memory to assign and communicate the available user bands, allowing STBs to tune automatically, thus automating the configuration process and enabling self-installation and recovery from failures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual user band assignment is performed by technicians during installation, then user bands can be assigned, but installation time and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of installationVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service through automatic user band assignment where STBs autonomously request and receive user band allocations from the CSS without requiring technician intervention. The CSS automatically manages the assignment process, allowing customers to install additional receivers independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The CSS maintains a pre-configured memory structure with available user bands ready for assignment. When an STB requests a user band, the system instantly queries and assigns from pre-prepared resources, eliminating the need for real-time manual configuration during installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If manual user band reassignment is performed after critical failures, then system can be recovered, but technician travel costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem recovery capabilityVSAvoidrecovery time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service through automatic user band assignment where STBs autonomously request and receive user band allocations from the CSS without requiring technician intervention. The CSS automatically manages the assignment process, allowing customers to install additional receivers independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The CSS maintains a pre-configured memory structure with available user bands ready for assignment. When an STB requests a user band, the system instantly queries and assigns from pre-prepared resources, eliminating the need for real-time manual configuration during installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple output ports are used in CSS, then signal distribution capacity increases, but complexity of managing user bands increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal distribution capacityVSAvoiduser band management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service through automatic user band assignment where STBs autonomously request and receive user band allocations from the CSS without requiring technician intervention. The CSS automatically manages the assignment process, allowing customers to install additional receivers independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The CSS implements an automated feedback loop where it receives requests from STBs, queries available user bands from memory, assigns appropriate bands, and confirms the assignment. This closed-loop automatic management simplifies the complexity of multiple ports by handling it through standardized automated procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS9319644B2Automatic user band assignment in a satellite signal distribution environment

Publication Date: 2016.04.19 BCE

AI summary

A communications system and method involving a set top box (STB) and a channel stacking switch (CSS). The STB comprises a communications interface configured to issue a request for a user band, the request identifying the STB and further configured to receive a message identifying an assigned user band; and a tuning element configured to tune to the assigned user band in response to receipt of the message. The CSS comprises a communications interface configured to receive the request for a user band identifying the STB; a memory; and a processing entity configured to access the memory to identify a particular user band that is available for the STB and to assign the particular user band to the STB; wherein the communications interface is further configured to issue to the STB a message identifying the particular user band assigned to the STB.