Satellite receiver with improved memory back-up and loading capabilities

• US 5,351,130 A
• Filed: 01/28/1993
• Issued: 09/27/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Echostar Engineering Corporation
• Original Assignee: Houston Satellite Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Dugan, Michael T., Petrie, Bruce S., Cilke, Joseph T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Groody, James J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Murrell, Jeffrey S.
• Application Number:
  US08/010,429
• Time in Patent Office: 607 Days
• Field of Search: 358/194.1, 358/188, 358/903, 358/147, 358/142, 455/3.2, 455/186.1, 455/186.2, 360/15, 360/33.1
• US Class Current: 348/725
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/1257 using the received signal strength
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 40/90 specially adapted for satellite broadcast receiving
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6547 comprising parameters, e.g. for client setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/445 for displaying additional information H04N5/50 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/765 Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/9206 the additional signal being a character code signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/20 Adaptations for transmission via a GHz frequency band, e.g. via satellite

Abstract

A television signal satellite receiver that, in one embodiment, is capable of utilizing the recording and playback capabilities of a video signal recorder, such as a video cassette recorder (VCR), to back up data contained in the satellite receiver memory and/or to load the memory with data. Typical data to be backed up or loaded into the memory includes satellite position data, which is unique with respect to the location of each satellite receiver and, more specifically, to the location of the antenna associated with the receiver. To back up data, the satellite receiver employs a translator that converts data contained in the satellite receiver memory from a digital format to a video signal format that is appropriate for the video signal recorder. Conversely, to load the memory with data, the translator converts data with the video signal format that is provided by the video signal recorder into a digital signal format that can be loaded into the memory of the satellite receiver. In one embodiment, the satellite receiver provides information, such as instructions on a data back-up operation, to a user by providing a signal to the user'"'"'s television with the appropriate textual material contained therein.

Claims

1. A satellite receiver that is capable of receiving a television signal and has an enhanced memory capability comprising:

a volatile digital memory for storing information that is used in the operation of the satellite receiver, wherein any information that is stored in said volatile digital memory is in a digital format and can be lost;

means for communicating a television signal that contains information that is used in the operation of the satellite receiver with a television signal recording device;

means, in communication with said digital memory and said means for communicating, for translating information that is used in the operation of the satellite receiver between said digital format and said television format so that information stored in said volatile digital memory can be stored using said television signal recording device, and for translating information that is used in the operation of the satellite receiver between said television format and said digital format so that information provided by said television signal recording device can be stored in said volatile digital memory;

means for allowing a user to input data to said satellite receiver, said data can include information to be stored in said volatile digital memory and data relating to the operation of said means for translating; and

means for outputting data to a user, said means for outputting includes means for providing television text.

2. A satellite receiver system that is capable of receiving a television signal comprising:

a satellite receiver with a digital memory that can be programmed with information that is used in the operation of the satellite receiver;

a video cassette recorder in communication with said satellite receiver; and

a television in communication with said satellite receiver;

said satellite receiver including means for translating information between a digital format and a television signal format so that information from said digital memory can be stored using said video cassette recorder and information provided by said video cassette recorder can be stored in said digital memory;

said satellite receiver includes means for allowing a user to input data to said satellite receiver relating to the operation of said means for translating;

said satellite receiver includes means for use in outputting data to a user that relates to said means for translating.