Digital satellite radio systems and associated methods for providing indoor reception

• US 20070049192A1
• Filed: 08/30/2005
• Published: 03/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Interdigital Technology Corporation (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Interdigital Technology Corporation (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Inventors: Gorsuch, Thomas, Hoffmann, John
• Granted Patent: US 8,140,004 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/3.20
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/63 to plural spots in a confined site, e.g. MATV [Master Antenna Television]
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/82 using signals not modulated onto a carrier
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 40/90 specially adapted for satellite broadcast receiving

Abstract

A digital satellite radio system includes a content server for providing a digital satellite radio channels, and a satellite for broadcasting the digital satellite radio channels. For overcoming indoor reception problems, a modem is connected to the content server via the Internet for receiving a selected digital satellite radio channel while not receiving unselected digital satellite radio channels. A digital satellite radio unit receives the selected digital satellite radio channel from the modem while not receiving the unselected digital satellite radio channels. In lieu of the modem connected to the Internet, a repeater receiving signals from the satellite is used for providing the selected digital satellite radio channel to the digital satellite radio unit.

Claims

1. A digital satellite radio system comprising:

a content server for providing a plurality of digital satellite radio channels;

at least one satellite for broadcasting the plurality of digital satellite radio channels;

at least one modem connected to said content server for receiving a selected digital satellite radio channel while not receiving unselected digital satellite radio channels; and

at least one digital satellite radio unit for receiving the plurality of digital satellite radio channels from said at least one satellite, and for receiving the selected digital satellite radio channel from said at least one modem while not receiving the unselected digital satellite radio channels.

2. A satellite radio system according to claim 1 wherein said at least one modem is connected to the Internet for receiving digital satellite radio channels from said content server.

3. A satellite radio system according to claim 1 wherein each digital satellite radio unit selects between said at least one satellite and said at least one modem for receiving digital satellite radio channels therefrom.

4. A satellite radio system according to claim 1 each digital satellite radio unit comprises a USB connector for connecting to said at least one modem via a USB interface.

5. A satellite radio system according to claim 1 wherein each digital satellite radio unit comprises an Ethernet connector for connecting to said at least one modem via a local area network (LAN) interface.

6. A satellite radio system according to claim 1 wherein each digital satellite radio unit further receives, when connected to said at least one modem, channel information data on the unselected digital satellite radio channels.

7. A satellite radio system according to claim 1 wherein said at least one digital satellite radio unit is wirelessly connected to said at least one modem.

8. A satellite radio system according to claim 7 wherein the wireless connection comprises a wireless local area network (WLAN).

9. A satellite radio system according to claim 8 wherein said WLAN comprises an access point connected to said at least one modem;

and wherein said at least one digital satellite radio unit is wirelessly connected to said at least one modem via said access point.

10. A satellite radio system according to claim 8 wherein each digital satellite radio unit comprises a processor for selecting reception between said at least one satellite and said WLAN.

11. A satellite radio system according to claim 10 wherein each digital satellite radio unit comprises a signal strength measurement circuit connected to said processor for determining a respective link quality associated with said at least one satellite and said WLAN.

12. A satellite radio system according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of digital satellite radio channels is based upon at least one of XM radio and Sirius radio.

13. A digital satellite radio system comprising:

a content server for providing a plurality of digital satellite radio channels;

at least one satellite for broadcasting the plurality of digital satellite radio channels;

at least one repeater for receiving the plurality of digital satellite radio channels from said at least one satellite, and for wirelessly transmitting within a local area network (LAN) a selected digital satellite radio channel while not transmitting unselected digital satellite radio channels; and

at least one digital satellite radio unit connected to said LAN for receiving the selected digital satellite radio channel while not receiving the unselected digital satellite radio channels.

14. A satellite radio system according to claim 13 wherein each digital satellite radio unit is also configured for receiving the plurality of digital satellite radio channels from said at least one satellite.

15. A satellite radio system according to claim 14 wherein each digital satellite radio unit selects between said at least one satellite and said at least one repeater for receiving digital satellite radio channels therefrom.

16. A satellite radio system according to claim 13 wherein each digital satellite radio unit comprises an Ethernet connector for connecting to said at least one repeater.

17. A satellite radio system according to claim 13 wherein each digital satellite radio unit further receives, when connected to said at least one repeater, channel information data on the unselected digital satellite radio channels.

18. A satellite radio system according to claim 13 wherein said at least one digital satellite radio unit is wirelessly connected to said LAN.

19. A satellite radio system according to claim 18 wherein said WLAN comprises an access point connected to said at least one repeater;

and wherein said at least one digital satellite radio unit is wirelessly connected to said at least one repeater via said access point.

20. A satellite radio system according to claim 18 wherein each digital satellite radio unit comprises a processor for selecting reception between said at least one satellite and said WLAN.

21. A satellite radio system according to claim 20 wherein each digital satellite radio unit comprises a signal strength measurement circuit connected to said processor for determining a respective link quality associated with said at least one satellite and said WLAN.

22. A satellite radio system according to claim 13 wherein the plurality of digital satellite radio channels is based upon at least one of XM radio and Sirius radio.