Systems and Methods for Positioning a Satellite Uplink Device

• US 20140325569A1
• Filed: 03/18/2014
• Published: 10/30/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Roger B. and Ann K. McNamee Trust U/T/A/D
• Original Assignee: Moontunes, Inc.
• Inventors: McNamee, Roger, Evans, Glenn, Frederick, Mark Richards, Suzuki, Shinya
• Granted Patent: US 9,800,942 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/67
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/74 of satellite networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2187 Live feed
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6193 involving transmission via a satellite arrangements for data linking, networking or transporting, or for controlling an end to end session in a satellite broadcast system H04B7/18526
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6338 directed to network
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/20 Adaptations for transmission via a GHz frequency band, e.g. via satellite

Abstract

A computer-implemented method is provided in which a satellite uplink device is positioned to distribute an event. Data is collected from one or more automatic sensor device associated with the satellite uplink device. An optimal position of the satellite uplink device is calculated based on at least the data collected from the one or more sensor devices. The location of one or more satellites in orbit is determined and one or more satellites are selected as a preferred satellite. The satellite uplink device is automatically positioned in the calculated optimal position to connect with the preferred satellite without user intervention. However, a user at a remote location may communicate instructions to change the position the satellite uplink device. User instructions are converted into one or more actuator commands and are wirelessly transmitted to the satellite uplink device for changing its position.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a satellite uplink device to be positioned to distribute an audio or visual feed, the method comprising:

at a computing device having one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors;

obtaining data from one or more automatic sensor devices associated with the satellite uplink device;

determining the location of one or more satellites in orbit;

selecting a preferred satellite of the one or more satellites;

calculating an optimal position of the satellite uplink device to connect with the preferred satellite based on at least the data collected from the one or more automatic sensor devices; and

providing actuator commands to position the satellite uplink device in the calculated optimal position, wherein one or more actuators are configured to automatically position the satellite uplink device to said calculated optimal position without human intervention.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing comprises:

determining one or more actuator commands to position the satellite uplink device to the calculated optimal position; and

sending the one or more actuator commands to one or more actuators connected to the satellite uplink device, the one or more actuators being configured to position the satellite uplink device to said calculated optimal position in accordance with the actuator commands.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein satellite uplink device is mounted to a control actuator configured to control the one or more actuators, wherein the providing comprises:

determining a plurality of actuator commands to position the satellite uplink device to the calculated optimal position; and

sending the plurality of actuator commands to the control actuator, which then selectively provides a subset of the plurality of actuator commands to a respective actuator of the one or more actuators.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising communicating a status of the satellite uplink device to a remote system.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising communicating a status of a connection between the satellite uplink device and the preferred satellite in orbit to a remote system.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein calculating an optimal position of the satellite uplink device further comprises comparing data from a respective automatic sensor device of the one or more automatic sensor devices to values for the respective sensor device in a lookup table.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein a respective automatic sensor device in the one or more automatic sensor devices is a positioning device selected from the group consisting of:

an inclinometer, a digital compass, and a Global Positioning System (GPS).

8. The method of claim 1, wherein a respective automatic sensor device in the one or more automatic sensor devices is a field condition device selected from the group consisting of:

a thermometer, a hygrometer, an anemometer, a barometer, a ceilometer and a transmissometer.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein a respective actuator of the one or more actuators is a step motor.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

automatically re-positioning the satellite uplink device from the optimal position to a second position.

11. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

automatically re-positioning the satellite uplink device from the optimal position to a second position according to the status of the connection between the uplink device and the preferred satellite.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein providing actuator commands to position the satellite uplink device in the calculated optimal position comprises at least a command to change position of the uplink device by a first angle in a plurality of angles in a vertical plane.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein providing actuator commands to position the satellite uplink device in the calculated optimal position comprises at least a command to change a position of the uplink device by a first angle in the plurality of angles in a horizontal plane.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein providing actuator commands to position the satellite uplink device in the calculated optimal position comprises at least a command to change a position of the uplink device by a first distance in a plurality of distances in a vertical plane.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein providing actuator commands to position the satellite uplink device in the calculated optimal position comprises at least a command to change a position of the uplink device by a first distance in the plurality of distances in a horizontal plane.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein providing actuator commands to position the satellite uplink device in the calculated optimal position comprises at least a command to change a position of the uplink device by a first distance in a plurality of distances forward or backward relative to a starting position.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the preferred satellite is selected from the one or more satellites automatically without human intervention.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the preferred satellite is automatically selected responsive to a predefined user action on the satellite uplink device.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the preferred satellite is automatically selected responsive to a predefined user action on a user device communicably connected with the satellite uplink device.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the user device includes one of:

a smart phone, a tablet, or a laptop.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the preferred satellite is selected from the one or more satellites in accordance with transmission speed associated with a respective satellite in the one or more satellites.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein the preferred satellite is selected from the one or more satellites in accordance with pricing information associated with a respective satellite in the one or more satellites.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein the preferred satellite is selected from the one or more satellites in accordance with a contractual relationship between a host of the live event and a service provider of the preferred satellite.

24. The method of claim 1, wherein the preferred satellite is selected from one or more satellites in accordance with a lookup table.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein, for a respective satellite in the one or more satellites, the lookup table includes information representing:

bandwidth, pricing information, satellite provider, satellite coverage, signal strength, and satellite availability.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the one or more satellites include satellites provided by multiple distinct commercial entities.

27. A system, for controlling a satellite uplink device to be positioned to distribute an audio or visual feed, comprising:

one or more processors; and

memory storing one or more programs to be executed by the one or more processors;

the one or more programs comprising instructions for;

obtaining data from one or more automatic sensor devices associated with the satellite uplink device;

determining the location of one or more satellites in orbit;

selecting a preferred satellite of the one or more satellites;

calculating an optimal position of the satellite uplink device to connect with the preferred satellite based on at least the data collected from the one or more automatic sensor devices; and

providing actuator commands to position the satellite uplink device in the calculated optimal position, wherein one or more actuators are configured to automatically position the satellite uplink device to said calculated optimal position without human intervention.