Method of using feedback from consumer terminals to adaptively control a satellite system
First Claim
1. A method of controlling a satellite comprising:
- broadcasting a satellite signal;
receiving the satellite signal at a number of user terminals;
detecting the signal strength of the satellite signal at each of the user terminals;
transmitting a second signal from each of the number of user terminals corresponding to the signal strength of the satellite signal received at each of the number of user terminals; and
adjusting an operative characteristic of the satellite in response to one or more of the second signals.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and a methodology uses data provided from consumer terminals in a satellite system to reconfigure a satellite to thereby optimize the strength of signals transmitted by the satellite. The data from the consumer terminals may be used to provide diagnostic information about the reception of signals at various points in an area covered by a satellite broadcasting system and to compensate for attenuation of signals transmitted by the satellite due to weather storms, or other atmospheric conditions. Such use of consumer terminals eliminates the need to place expensive monitoring stations throughout an area covered by a satellite broadcasting system, resulting in substantial reduction in overall system cost. Additionally, given the widespread distribution of consumer terminals, greater monitoring coverage is achieved than with a limited number of monitoring stations.
81 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of controlling a satellite comprising:
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broadcasting a satellite signal;
receiving the satellite signal at a number of user terminals;
detecting the signal strength of the satellite signal at each of the user terminals;
transmitting a second signal from each of the number of user terminals corresponding to the signal strength of the satellite signal received at each of the number of user terminals; and
adjusting an operative characteristic of the satellite in response to one or more of the second signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A satellite control system comprising:
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a satellite having a transmitter adapted to broadcast a satellite signal;
a number of user terminals each having a receiver adapted to receive the satellite signal, and a transmitter adapted to transmit a second signal corresponding to the signal strength of the satellite signal received by the receiver; and
a satellite control station having a receiver adapted to receive the second signals and a controller adapted to adjust an operative characteristic of the satellite in response to one or more of the second signals. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification