Multi-medium closed-loop controlled satellite broadcast network for simple end-user operation
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A satellite-program user equipment, comprising:
- a fixed-location microwave radio receiver for connection to a steerable-dish antenna for receiving plurality of satellite signals comprising program and command signal transmissions broadcast from a plurality of orbiting satellites;
a program decoder connected to the microwave radio receiver for deciphering individual programs and commands from said received satellite signals;
a pager-service receiver for detecting radio signals and decoding commands addressed to said user equipment;
a command decoder connected to receive said commands from the program decoder and the pager-service receiver and for organizing said commands into control signals;
a telephone interface for communicating with a remote network controller in charge of said program and command signal transmission broadcasts; and
a diagnostic unit connected to receive condition information from the microwave radio receiver, the program decoder and the pager-service receiver and to report an output with a phone connection initiated by the telephone interface to a network controller.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A satellite network receiver connected to receive video and audio programs and commands from orbiting satellites through a steerable dish antenna. Commands are alternatively received by the satellite receiver via pager radio service or phone wire from a network controller that uplinked the satellite programming. All user controls are eliminated from the satellite receiver and the network controller uses its command capability to steer the users antenna and to analyze and initiate diagnostics performed on various parts of the satellite receiver.
136 Citations
6 Claims
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1. A satellite-program user equipment, comprising:
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a fixed-location microwave radio receiver for connection to a steerable-dish antenna for receiving plurality of satellite signals comprising program and command signal transmissions broadcast from a plurality of orbiting satellites; a program decoder connected to the microwave radio receiver for deciphering individual programs and commands from said received satellite signals; a pager-service receiver for detecting radio signals and decoding commands addressed to said user equipment; a command decoder connected to receive said commands from the program decoder and the pager-service receiver and for organizing said commands into control signals; a telephone interface for communicating with a remote network controller in charge of said program and command signal transmission broadcasts; and a diagnostic unit connected to receive condition information from the microwave radio receiver, the program decoder and the pager-service receiver and to report an output with a phone connection initiated by the telephone interface to a network controller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A satellite-program user equipment, comprising:
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a fixed-location microwave radio receiver for connection to a steerable-dish antenna for receiving a plurality of satellite signals comprising program and command signal transmissions broadcast from a plurality of orbiting satellites; a program decoder connected to the microwave radio receiver for deciphering individual programs and commands from said received satellite signals; a pager-service receiver for detecting radio signals and decoding commands addressed to said user equipment; a command decoder connected to receive said commands from the program decoder and the pager-service receiver and for organizing said commands into control signals; a telephone interface for communicating with a remote network controller in charge of said program and command signal transmission broadcasts; a diagnostic unit connected to receive condition information from the microwave radio receiver, the program decoder and the pager-service receiver and to report said conditions with a phone connection initiated by the telephone interface to a network controller; a command decoder connected to receive command signals originated from said network controller from the microwave radio receiver, the program decoder, the pager-service and the telephone interface and to output control signals in response to tune the microwave radio receiver; and a dish-pointing controller connected to the command decoder for controlling the aiming of said steerable-dish antenna.
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6. A computer-implemented process for controlling the tuning of a satellite receiver and the aiming of a dish antenna at a user site without direct user intervention, comprising the steps of:
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checking the tuning and reception quality of said satellite receiver and logging its condition in a memory; checking the tuning and reception quality of a pager receiver and logging its condition in said memory; initiating a report from said user site over a telephone connection to a network controller if said receivers condition indicates a problem requiring attention; receiving a command from said network controller via one of said satellite receiver, said pager receiver and said telephone connection; and controlling said tuning of said satellite receiver and the pointing of an antenna connected to said satellite receiver according to said commands from said network controller.
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Specification