SATELLITE RECEIVER SYSTEM WITH RECHARGEABLE BATTERY AND ANTENNA SOLAR CELL

• US 20100095330A1
• Filed: 10/15/2008
• Published: 04/15/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Echostar Technologies LLC (Echostar Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Echostar Technologies LLC (Echostar Corporation)
• Inventors: Pal, Rajiv Singh Cullen
• Application Number:
  US12/251,877
• Publication Number:
  US 20100095330A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/68
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/465 with solar battery as charging system
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 40/90 specially adapted for satellite broadcast receiving
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/20 Adaptations for transmission via a GHz frequency band, e.g. via satellite
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A satellite receiving system is constructed including an antenna, a solar cell, and a set-top box receiver. The set-top box receiver includes a rechargeable battery electrically coupled to the solar cell, and a main power supply. The solar cell is configured to charge the rechargeable battery. The set-top box is configured to operate from either the rechargeable battery or the main power supply, and to operate from the rechargeable battery when the main power supply is turned off.

Claims

1. A satellite receiving system, comprising:

an antenna;

a solar cell mechanically coupled directly to the antenna; and

a set-top box receiver comprising;

a rechargeable battery electrically coupled to the solar cell; and

a main power supply;

wherein the solar cell is configured to charge the rechargeable battery; and

wherein the set-top box is configured to operate from either the rechargeable battery or the main power supply, and to operate from the rechargeable battery when the main power supply is turned off.

2. The satellite receiving system of claim 1,

wherein the set-top box receiver is configured to operate in a low-power mode from the rechargeable battery when the main power supply is turned off.

3. The satellite receiving system of claim 1,

wherein the antenna includes a satellite signal reflective dish;

and

wherein the solar cell has a satellite signal reflective surface and is configured to operate as part of the satellite signal reflective dish.

4. The satellite receiving system of claim 1,

wherein the main power supply is configured to charge the rechargeable battery when the main power supply is turned on.

5. The satellite receiving system of claim 1,

wherein the set-top box receiver is configured to perform positive authorizations while the main power supply is turned off.

6. The satellite receiving system of claim 1,

wherein the set-top box receiver is configured to perform code updates while the main power supply is turned off.

7. The satellite receiving system of claim 1,

wherein the set-top box receiver is configured to perform encryption key changes while the main power supply is turned off.

8. The satellite receiver system of claim 1,

wherein the set-top box receiver is configured to perform callbacks while the main power supply is turned off.

9. The satellite receiver system of claim 1,

wherein the antenna is electrically coupled to the set top-box receiver through a coaxial wire, and the rechargeable battery is charged by the solar cell through the coaxial wire.

10. A satellite receiver antenna comprising:

a satellite signal reflective dish;

a low-noise block converter configured to receive satellite signals reflected from the satellite signal reflective dish;

a solar cell; and

an output configured to transfer converted satellite signals from the low-noise block converter to a set top box receiver; and

wherein the solar cell is configured to charge a battery within the set-top box.

11. The satellite receiver antenna of claim 10,

wherein the solar cell is configured to charge the battery within the set-top box through the output.

12. The satellite receiver antenna of claim 10,

wherein the solar cell has a satellite signal reflective surface and is configured to operate as part of the satellite signal reflective dish.

13. The satellite receiver antenna of claim 10,

wherein the solar cell is mechanically coupled directly with the satellite signal reflective dish.

14. The satellite receiver antenna of claim 10,

wherein the solar cell is mechanically coupled directly with the low noise block converter and is electrically coupled with the output.

15. A satellite set top-box receiver comprising:

a processor;

a satellite signal input electrically coupled with the processor;

a main power supply configured to supply electrical power to the processor; and

a rechargeable battery configured to supply electrical power to the processor when the main power supply is turned off, and configured to be recharged from a solar cell attached to a satellite receiver antenna.

16. The satellite set top box receiver of claim 15,

wherein the rechargeable battery is configured to be recharged from the solar cell attached to the satellite receiver antenna through the satellite signal input.

17. The satellite set top box receiver of claim 15,

wherein the processor is configured to operate in a low-power mode from the rechargeable battery when the main power supply is turned off.

18. A method for constructing a satellite receiver system comprising:

mechanically coupling a low-noise block converter to a satellite signal reflective dish;

configuring the low-noise block converter to receive satellite signals reflected from the satellite signal reflective dish;

configuring the low-noise block converter to transfer converted satellite signals to a set-top box receiver;

mechanically coupling a solar cell to the satellite signal reflective dish;

configuring the solar cell to charge a rechargeable battery within the set-top box receiver; and

configuring the set-top box receiver to operate from a main power supply when the main power supply is turned on, and to operate from the rechargeable battery when the main power supply is turned off.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising

configuring the solar cell to operate as part of the satellite signal reflective dish, wherein the solar cell has a satellite signal reflective surface.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

configuring the set-top box receiver to operate in a low-power mode when the main power supply is turned off.